Judge Frank Caprio, the Rhode Island jurist whose gentle, compassionate approach to justice earned him the title of “the nicest judge in the world,” has died aged 88
The news of his passing was confirmed by his family on Wednesday, following a long and public battle with pancreatic cancer. His son, Frank T. Caprio, announced in a statement that his father had “passed away peacefully,” surrounded by loved ones.
Caprio became a household name in the United States and far beyond through his television show Caught in Providence, a long-running series that captured the real-life proceedings inside the Providence Municipal Court. What might otherwise have been mundane hearings about parking tickets, speeding fines, and minor misdemeanours became must-watch television because of Caprio’s unique style.
Unlike the stern, intimidating figures often associated with the judiciary, Caprio approached defendants with warmth, humour, and empathy. Clips from the courtroom — where he could be seen joking with families, forgiving fines, or listening patiently to people’s stories of hardship — spread rapidly across social media, turning him into a viral sensation.
“I don’t wear a badge under my robe,” he once told NBC in 2017. “I wear a heart under my robe.”
A life in service of justice
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1936, Francesco “Frank” Caprio grew up the son of Italian immigrants. His rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of America’s most beloved judges was a story he often credited to his parents’ values of hard work, fairness, and compassion.
He served as Providence’s chief municipal judge for decades and became a fixture in local politics, with a reputation for being both firm and fair. His work on Caught in Providence, which ran on local television before gaining national syndication, gave audiences an intimate look into his courtroom — a place where justice was dispensed with patience rather than punishment.
Caprio was twice nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award, not for scripted drama but for bringing humanity into legal proceedings that viewers recognised as authentic and deeply moving.
Battling illness in the public eye
In December 2023, Caprio revealed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. From that moment, he was remarkably open about his struggle, sharing updates with his nearly four million followers on Instagram.
“Last year I asked you to pray for me, and it’s very obvious that you did, because I came through a very difficult period,” he said in a video message at the time. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a setback, I’m back in the hospital. Now, I’m coming to you again and asking you to remember me in your prayers once more.”
His words were met with an outpouring of support. Fans from across the globe left comments thanking him for his kindness, his humour, and the way he had touched their lives through his courtroom clips.
Even in his final months, Caprio’s instinct was to inspire hope. In one of his last public appearances, he stressed that his faith in the “goodness of people” remained unshaken.
Tributes pour in
Since news of his death broke, tributes have flooded social media. Admirers remembered him not only as a judge but as a symbol of decency and compassion in public service.
Debmar-Mercury, the company behind Caught in Providence, issued a statement: “Judge Caprio’s unique brand of compassion and common-sense approach to justice caught the attention of daytime TV and social media audiences, making Caught in Providence a fan favourite. We will miss him dearly, and our hearts go out to the Caprio family.”
His courtroom style had made him a global figure. Viewers from as far afield as Europe, Asia, and Africa wrote in after his passing to say they had felt personally touched by his decisions — often involving small fines, but laced with humanity.
Family man above all else
Away from the cameras, Caprio was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was married to his wife, Joyce, for over six decades. Together, they raised five children — Frank, David, Marissa, John, and Paul — and saw their family grow to include seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A statement posted to his official Instagram page emphasised his devotion to his family as much as his work. “Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond. He will be remembered not only as a respected judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired.”
A message that resonated around the world
What made Caprio’s passing all the more poignant was that only days before his death, he had recorded one last heartfelt message to his supporters. Speaking with the warmth that had made him famous, he reflected on the prayers and encouragement that had lifted his spirits during his illness.
It was in that final video that Caprio left the world with a parting thought — a simple, heartfelt request that has since been shared widely across social media. After acknowledging the setback in his health, he told his followers:
“In his honour, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world — just as he did every day.”
That was Frank Caprio’s last message, and it summed up the philosophy by which he lived.
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