Compassionate judge remembered globally
Frank Caprio, the retired chief municipal judge of Providence, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025. His family confirmed the news through his official Instagram and Facebook accounts, where they remembered him for his compassion, humour, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people.
His son, David Caprio, thanked fans for their support, urging people to honour his father’s memory by “spreading a little kindness.”
Rise to fame through Caught in Providence
Judge Caprio presided over thousands of cases during his four-decade judicial career, but it was his television show Caught in Providence that made him an international household name. The show, later picked up by ABC, showcased his unique courtroom style, blending empathy with justice.
Clips of Caprio listening patiently to defendants, forgiving minor fines, or inviting children to sit with him at the bench have been viewed over a billion times across TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. His approach earned him the affectionate title of “the nicest judge in the world.”
Debmar-Mercury, the company behind the show, described him as a man whose “unique brand of compassion and common-sense approach” left a lasting legacy. The show was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards, while Caprio himself received two nominations in 2024.
Battle with pancreatic cancer
Caprio revealed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2023 and openly shared his journey with millions of followers. In one of his last public videos, posted just days before his death, he asked supporters to keep him in their prayers as he returned to hospital after a health setback.
Despite his illness, he continued to inspire people. “It was the love and support he received that lifted his spirits and gave him strength to fight on,” his family said in a statement. He lived a year and a half longer than doctors initially expected.
Viral connection with Pakistan
In 2019, Caprio captured Pakistani hearts when his courtroom exchange with Ahmad Salman, a Pakistani student in the US, went viral. After waiving Salman’s parking tickets, he later invited him to a Sunday family dinner, a gesture widely praised as a reflection of his humility and warmth.
This moment cemented his international reputation as not only a fair judge but also a human being who valued empathy above rigid punishment.
Tributes pour in
Local Rhode Island leaders, including Senate President Valarie Lawson, called him a man who “embodied the spirit of Rhode Island and its people.” Time magazine noted how his viral videos helped highlight broader issues, including inequality in access to the justice system.
Frank Caprio is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce Caprio, their five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Legacy of kindness
For millions worldwide, Judge Caprio’s courtroom was more than a place of justice—it was a classroom of compassion. His life and work will continue to inspire future generations of lawyers, judges, and ordinary citizens who believe in humanity’s goodness.
