Happier Reunion for Judge Who Recognized Inmate as Classmate

(Newser) – Last summer, an emotional video of a Florida burglary suspect appearing before a judge who turned out to be his middle school classmate went viral. Almost 10 months later, Arthur Booth was released from jail Tuesday—and Judge Mindy Glazer was there to wish him well and see him on his way, CBS Miami reports. "Take care of your family," Glazer, who was waiting for Booth along with his family, told him after embracing him with a hug. "Try to get a job. Stay clean. You're going to do something good for somebody else."

As part of a plea deal, Booth will attend a drug treatment program and be on probation for 10 years, NBC News reports; he could still be sent back to prison if he violates probationary terms. But it doesn't look like he's planning on leaving the straight and narrow anytime soon. "She's an inspiration and a motivation to me right now," he tells CBS. "Mindy is incredible. 'Cause I know where I could've been. … It's just a new lease on life for me." "Don't let us down," was Glazer's final gentle warning, to which Booth replied: "I won't. I promise not to." (Read more uplifting news stories.)