PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island renowned for his online presence as a compassionate judge and host of “Caught in Providence,” has passed away at the age of 88.
His official social media accounts said Wednesday that he “passed away peacefully” after “a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.”
Caprio described his courtroom as a venue where “people and cases are met with kindness and compassion.” He gained fame for dismissing tickets and showing understanding, even when dispensing justice.
Recently, Caprio shared a brief video on Facebook about a “setback” that led to another hospital visit, asking people to “remember me in your prayers.”
His show, filmed in his courtroom, highlighted his folksy humor and sensitivity. Clips from the program have been viewed over 1 billion times on social media.
During his time on the bench, Caprio developed a persona at odds with many TV judges — more sympathetic and less confrontational and judgmental.
In YouTube segments, Caprio often empathizes with courtroom attendees. The cases are often minor, involving issues like failing to use a turn signal or receiving a citation for a noisy party.
Caprio also used his fame to address issues like unequal access to the judicial system.
Caprio once stated, “The phrase, ‘With liberty and justice for all’ symbolizes the idea that justice should be available to everyone. Unfortunately, it isn’t.” He noted, “Almost 90% of low-income Americans have to address civil issues such as health care, unjust evictions, veterans benefits, and even traffic violations, on their own.”
Caprio’s upbeat take on the job of a judge drew him millions of views. His most popular videos have been those where he calls children to the bench to help pass judgment on their parents. One shows him listening sympathetically to a woman whose son was killed and then dismissing her tickets and fines of $400.
In another clip, after dismissing a red-light violation for a bartender who was making $3.84 per hour, Caprio urged those watching the video not to duck out on their bills.
“If anyone’s watching I want them to know you better not eat and run because you’re going to get caught and the poor people who are working hard all day for three bucks an hour are going to have to pay your bill,” he said.
His fame reached as far as China, where clips of his show have been uploaded to social media in recent years. Some fans there posted about his death, recalling and praising the humanity he showed in his rulings.
His family described Caprio “as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.”
“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,” the family wrote online. “His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
State and local politicians mourned his passing and celebrated his life.
“Judge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with them in a meaningful way, and people could not help but respond to his warmth and compassion,” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement. “He was more than a jurist — he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.”
Robert Leonard, who co-owned a restaurant with Caprio, said he was “going to be sorely missed” and was “all around wonderful.”
“There is nothing he wouldn’t do for you if he could do it,” Leonard said.
Caprio retired from Providence Municipal Court in 2023 after nearly four decades on the bench.
According to his biography, Caprio came from humble beginnings, the second of three boys growing up in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island.
“I hope that people will take away that the institutions of government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion in their deliberations. We live in a very contentious society,” he said in 2017. “I would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.”
___
LeBlanc, an Associated Press journalist who retired in January, was the primary writer of this obituary. Associated Press writers Michael Casey in Boston, Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu and Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed.
