Frank Caprio, the Judge appearing on the viral ‘Caught in Providence’ show, passed away on August 20 due to pancreatic cancer. His family announced his demise via a heartfelt message on social media. Caprio was popular amongst the masses for his kindness in the courtroom as he approached justice with compassion on the show, which earned him the title of “America’s Nicest Judge.”
Caprio gained worldwide attention through the viral clips of his judgments circulated on social media. Garnering millions of views, it became a global sensation, thanks to Caprio’s kind-hearted judgements. His sensitivity during the courtroom proceedings made his judgements empathetic and resonated with viewers worldwide.
Who was Frank Caprio?
Based in Rhode Island, Judge Frank Caprio was born on November 24, 1936. He served as a municipal judge in Providence from 1985 till he retired in 2023. His show, Caught in Providence, began airing in 2000. Running for nearly two decades, it gained traction in 2018 after clips of Caprio’s judgements went viral on social media. Battling cancer since 2023, he had undergone his final radiation treatment in Miami and had announced this milestone on social media. Moreover, he even planned to release a book this year.
Known for his considerate judgement in minor offences, Caprio’s interactions with the defendants made him who he was. With humour, empathy, and understanding, he quickly won hearts with kindness. His official Instagram page had over 3 million followers, with a much larger audience on the show’s official page with 16 million followers. However, his presence on the show with his empathetic judgements did not gain him acclaim. Caprio used his fame to address issues like unequal access to the judicial system. “The phrase, ‘With liberty and justice for all,’ represents the idea that justice should be accessible to everyone. However, it is not,” Caprio had said in one of the viral clips on YouTube.
Frank Caprio’s kindest judgements
As Caprio’s compassionate judgments went viral on social media, he became one of America’s kindest judges. Some of his flagship, most memorable judgements include the dismissal for honesty and family. In a case where a father was charged for speeding, Judge Caprio invited his son to the stand and asked whether his father was guilty or not. The young boy, with all honesty, said his father was “guilty” of speeding. Eliciting laughter in the courtroom, Judge Caprio dismissed the charges and awarded the principles of honesty.
In another case, Caprio let a young child choose her mom’s fine for a minor violation. Something commonly seen in Caprio’s courtroom, along with a compassion and kindness. He remarked that the only fine the mother would face would be buying breakfast for her daughter.
He understood special cases involving the elderly and medical emergencies with great attention. Moreover, he had deep respect for veterans and dismissed their parking fines in case of a genuine condition. He encouraged the young people involved in legal issues to continue schooling and fostered personal growth over reprimand. Caprio’s judge of character was admired by his courtroom.
Judge Caprio’s final video
Just a day ahead of his death, Caprio was seen in a now-viral video on his official Instagram page seeking prayers from his audience. “I’m coming to you again, asking you to remember me in your prayers once more,” Caprio said. He added in the video from the hospital bed, sharing that a ‘setback’ has caused him to return to the hospital, “So I ask you again if it’s not too much that you can remember me in your prayers.”
He was battling pancreatic cancer since 2023, he announced in the video, and had undergone treatments in Rhode Island and Boston. In the post announcing his demise, it honoured his ” compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people.”
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. “His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired,” read the heartfelt caption of the post.