Rhode Island Judge Frank Caprio, whose empathy in court earned him fame
online, dies at 88
[August 21, 2025]
By STEVE LeBLANC
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode
Island who found online fame as a caring jurist and host of “ Caught in
Providence,” has died. He was 88.
His official social media accounts said Wednesday that he "passed away
peacefully" after “a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.”
Caprio billed his courtroom as a place “where people and cases are met
with kindness and compassion." He was known for dismissing tickets or
showing kindness even when he handed out justice.
Last week, Caprio posted a short video on Facebook about how he had “a
setback," was back in the hospital and was asking that people “remember
me in your prayers.”
Caprio's show was filmed in his courtroom and featured his folksy humor
and compassion. Clips from the show have had more than 1 billion views
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 his bite-sized segments on YouTube, Caprio is often seen empathizing
with those in his courtroom. Many of the infractions are also relatively
minor, from failing to use a turn signal to a citation for a loud party.
Caprio also 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
said in one video. “Almost 90% of low-income Americans are forced to
battle civil issues like health care, unjust evictions, veterans
benefits and, yes, even traffic violations, alone.”
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.
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Providence Municipal Court Judge Frank Caprio sits on the bench in
Providence, R.I., Aug. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Michelle R. Smith, File)
 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.”
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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.
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