‘Nicest Judge in the World' Frank Caprio Dies at 88
Caprio, dubbed 'the nicest judge in the world,' died Wednesday at the age of 88, but it seems his message is sure to live on.
The Rhode Island jurist passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his family announced on social media. Caprio served as chief judge of the municipal court of Providence, Rhode Island, from 1985 to 2023. He is survived by his wife Joyce Caprio, five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
'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. His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him,' his family wrote. '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.'
'On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers, your thoughts, and your unwavering support for him throughout his journey,' Caprio's son David Caprio said in a video posted to TikTok. 'Your love lifted him in ways that words cannot describe.'
Many became acquainted with Caprio through clips of the Emmy-nominated courtroom reality TV series Caught in Providence that were shared on social media over the last decade.
The show, which was produced by Caprio's brother Joe Caprio, initially aired in 2000, then returned to TV screens from 2015 to 2017. The series went into national syndication in 2018 and was renewed for a second season in 2019, but ended in 2023 when Caprio retired. After his retirement he was given the ceremonial title of 'Chief Judge Emeritus' and his courtroom was renamed in his honor.
Caprio was known for his compassion in the courtroom, as videos of him treating defendants with empathy and respect gained more than a billion views on social media and earned him the title of 'the nicest judge in the world.' Caprio's Instagram account and Facebook profile each amassed 3.4 million followers, while his TikTok had 1.6 million followers.
Earlier this year, he published a book titled Compassion in the Court, outlining lessons he'd learned from his life and career.
Caprio, the son of an Italian immigrant who worked as a fruit peddler, once told his alma mater Suffolk University's law magazine, that he believed Caught in Providence resonated with people because, 'they feel that they are talked down to and scorned. In the 100,000 or so comments I have gotten from viewers around the world, the most common words are compassion, understanding, and fairness. I think we have given them a sense of hope through the decisions I make.'
He said he leaned on 'the rule of common sense' when considering leniency toward defendants and did not view verdicts that made the defendant's life worse as justice.
At times, Caprio would bring the children of defendants up to the bench. In one case, he asked a six-year-old girl to help him decide on the verdict for her mother who faced a $100 fine plus additional penalties amounting to a total of $300 for parking on the sidewalk.
Caprio gave the defendant's daughter four options: charge the full amount of the penalties, waive the penalties but keep the $100 fine, reduce the fine to $50, or waive the fine entirely.
'What would you do to be fair about this whole thing and how much would you charge?' Caprio asked.
The girl chose the third option, but Caprio offered her another deal. 'She buys you breakfast when you leave and I'll dismiss [the case], is that a good deal?' Ultimately, she agreed.
'I don't wear a badge under my robe,' Caprio was known for saying. 'I wear a heart.'
While remembered for his time as a judge, Caprio also had a political career. He served on the Providence City Council from 1962 to 1968 and ran as a Democrat for Attorney General of Rhode Island in 1970 but lost to Republican Richard J. Israel. He served as a delegate for five Democratic National Conventions.
In December 2023, Caprio announced he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, completing radiation treatment last year. On Aug. 19, Caprio shared in a video from a hospital bed that he had suffered a health setback. 'I ask you again, if it's not too much, that you can remember me in your prayers,' he said. Caprio died the following day.
'Judge Caprio was a Rhode Island treasure,' Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee posted on X. 'On a personal level, he was a friend who faced his illness with bravery, and I will miss him dearly.'
McKee ordered Rhode Island flags at all state agencies and buildings to be flown at half-mast in honor of Caprio.
'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,' McKee continued. '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.'
Joe Shekarchi, Democratic speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, posted on X that Caprio 'was known everywhere for his compassion and good humor on the bench and was beloved by Rhode Islanders and worldwide fans of his show.'
'Judge Caprio utilized his position for the greater good and helped countless individuals who appeared before him to turn their lives around,' Shekarchi said. 'His 88 years of service to Providence and the entire state have made Rhode Island a better place.'
Caprio shared an emotional message in a video posted to TikTok in March. 'Sometimes in life we take things for granted,' he said. 'But you never know from one day to the next what life will bring. And so, enjoy what you have, be kind to people, take care of your families.'
Many supporters of Caprio have taken to social media to remember their favorite courtroom moments of the judge.
Contact us at letters@time.com.
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