‘America's nicest judge’ Frank Caprio dies at age 88

Frank Caprio, the retired Rhode Island municipal judge and host of the reality courtroom series Caught in Providence, has died at the age of 88 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, according to statements from his official social media accounts.

Caprio became widely known for his compassionate approach to justice, billing his courtroom as a place “where people and cases are met with kindness and compassion.” The show, filmed in his courtroom, showcased his folksy humour and empathetic nature, earning him over 1 billion views on social media.

Unlike many other television judges, Caprio was known for his sympathetic and less confrontational style. He also used his popularity to highlight broader issues, including unequal access to the judicial system, the Associated Press reported.

Frank Caprio’s most popular moments often featured lighthearted and deeply human interactions, such as inviting children to the bench to “help” decide their parents’ cases. One widely viewed clip showed him compassionately listening to a woman who had lost her son and then waiving her $400 in tickets and fines.

In an online statement, Caprio’s family described him as “a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend,” praising his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in people’s goodness. They said his warmth, humour, and kindness “left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”

Tributes poured in from across Rhode Island, including state and local leaders. Governor Dan McKee said Judge Caprio not only served the public faithfully but also connected with people “in a meaningful way,” earning their admiration and affection.

 “He was more than a jurist,” McKee said, calling him “a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.”

Frank Caprio stepped down from the Providence Municipal Court in 2023 after serving nearly four decades as a judge.

According to his biography, Caprio came from modest beginnings, growing up as the second of three brothers in the Federal Hill neighbourhood of Providence, Rhode Island.

He said in 2017 that he hoped his work would inspire faith in public institutions. He said he wanted people to understand that “government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion in its deliberations.” Acknowledging today’s divisive climate, Caprio emphasised that “justice can be dispensed without being oppressive.”