Providence, R.I. – Judge Frank Caprio, the longtime Providence Municipal Court judge whose compassion and humanity in the courtroom earned him worldwide recognition, has passed away at the age of 88.
Caprio died peacefully after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, according to a statement shared on social media.
Known to millions through the television program Caught in Providence, Caprio became a viral figure for his gentle, empathetic approach to justice. Clips of him forgiving parking tickets, listening to personal stories, and often offering words of encouragement spread widely online, inspiring people across the globe.
Beyond the show, Caprio was remembered as a devoted family man — a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His family said he lived with humility and “an unwavering belief in the goodness of people.”
In recent years, Caprio reflected on his life and career in his book Compassion in the Court, where he shared stories from the bench and the values that guided his approach to justice.
Tributes described him as warm, humorous, and kind, with a legacy measured not only in years on the bench but in the countless acts of kindness he inspired. “In his honor, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world — just as he did every day,” the family’s statement said.
Caprio served on the bench in Providence for decades and had a long career in public service and community involvement. His unique brand of justice brought visibility to the human side of the legal system, reminding many that empathy and accountability can coexist.
He leaves behind a legacy that will continue through both his family and the millions touched by his example of fairness and compassion.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject mater expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
