Stephen Shoemaker, 33, of Shippensburg in Pennsylvania, didn't have a car or driver's license; as a result he started walking to the courthouse at dawn. He kept walking for about 40 km (25 miles) in suffocating temperatures.
He was scheduled to appear in court at 9:30 a.m., but it was not until 3:30 p.m. did he reach the destination, after a stop at the Carlisle Regional Medical Center where he was treated for dehydration.
Judge Edward Guido had issued an arrest warrant when Shoemaker failed to appear. Upon learning why Shoemaker was late, the judge agreed to defer sentencing until next month.
Guido said he hesitated only because "that means he'll have to walk back to Shippensburg."
Deputy Public Defender Anthony Adams volunteered to give Shoemaker a ride back to Shippensburg.
