When you’re in court, and the judge recognizes you, it usually doesn’t promote a warm, fuzzy feeling in your gut. That wasn’t the case for Arthur Booth. The encounter changed his life when he appeared in sentencing court before Judge Mindy Glazer. In what would have been a brief hearing, Arthur stood before the judge to receive his sentence on a burglary charge. What happened next brought him to tears. The judge asked him, “Did you go to Nautilus for middle school?

There was a brief moment of confusion, and then Arthur realized the judge was a former school friend. He broke down in tears, repeating, “Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness.” Judge Glazer spoke frankly to Arthur about how she had wondered what had happened to him. She reminded him how bright his future had been in middle school. Continuing, she expressed sadness at seeing him standing before her under the current circumstances.

The original reunion exchange between the middle school friends happened on June 30, 2015. Judge Glazer met Arthur outside the jail after his release from a ten-month sentence. His family was also there to greet him. The judge challenged him that day, telling him to clean up his life and do things right. With a big hug, Arthur made a promise that day.

It made a difference when that judge recognized and reminded him of his worth and potential. Now, almost a decade later, many changes have occurred.

How A Life Changed After Judge Recognizes An Old Friend

Arthur kept his promise to his childhood friend. He stayed on the straight path, got a job, and cared for his family. The simple actions of a judge who recognized someone’s potential changed a life. During their hug, she told him, “Take care of your family. Try to get a job. Stay clean. You’re going to do something good for somebody else.”

What began as a life on drugs and in and out of prison has become a life of purpose and meaning. Arthur was released from jail and attended a drug rehabilitation treatment program. In an interview with CBS Miami, Arthur said, “She’s an inspiration and a motivation to me right now. Mindy is incredible. Cause I know where I could’ve been, but I’m not giving up on life. It’s just a new lease on life for me right now.”

Living up to his promise to his childhood friend, Arthur has turned his life around. He got a job and worked his way up the ladder. He bought a house and continues to provide for his family. Arthur travels the country as the manager of a Florida-based pharmaceutical company. Few additional details are available, but the childhood friends have stayed in touch over the years. This story proves that it isn’t always bad when the judge recognizes you!