PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Retired Rhode Island municipal judge Frank Caprio, host of “Caught in Providence,” and online celebrity for his compassionate legal views, passed away. He was eighty-eight.
He “passed away peacefully” on Wednesday, according to his official social media accounts, following a valiant and protracted fight with pancreatic cancer.
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Caprio promoted his courtroom as a compassionate and friendly environment where people and matters are treated with respect. Even when he administered punishment, he had a reputation for being kind and dismissing tickets.
Caprio shared a brief video on Facebook last week detailing his relapse, requesting that people keep him in their prayers while he was back in the hospital.
Filmed in his courtroom, Caprio’s presentation showcased his compassion and folk humor.On social media, show snippets have received over 1 billion views.
In contrast to many TV judges, Caprio cultivated a more empathetic, less combative, and less critical character while serving on the bench.
Caprio frequently demonstrates empathy for the people in his courtroom in his little YouTube videos. A lot of the violations are actually really trivial, ranging from a penalty for a noisy party to not using a turn signal.
Additionally, Caprio addressed issues such as unequal access to the legal system by using his prominence.
‘With liberty and justice for all’ embodies the notion that everyone should have access to justice. But in one video, Caprio stated that it isn’t. On their own, nearly 90% of Americans with modest incomes must contend with civil matters such as health care, unfair evictions, veterans benefits, and yes, even traffic infractions.
Caprio received millions of views for his positive portrayal of a judge. The videos in which he calls kids to the court to assist judge their parents have been his most watched. In one, he listens to a widow whose kid was killed with empathy before dismissing her tickets and $400 in fines.
In a another film, Caprio warned viewers not to skimp on their bills after dismissing a red-light infraction for a bartender earning $3.84 per hour.
He continued, “If anyone is watching, I want them to know that you better not eat and run because you’re going to get caught and your bill will have to be paid by the poor people who are working hard all day for three dollars an hour.”
His family characterized Caprio as a loving husband, father, grandpa, great-grandfather, and friend on social media.
According to the family, Judge Caprio was adored for his kindness, modesty, and unshakable faith in human goodness. His work in the courts and beyond impacted the lives of millions of people. His compassion, humor, and warmth made a lasting impression on everyone he came into contact with.
Politicians at the state and local levels both praised his life and lamented his death.
According to a statement from Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Judge Caprio not only provided excellent public service but also struck a genuine connection with the populace, inspiring them to react to his kindness and warmth. In addition to being a jurist, he served as a symbol of empathy on the bench, demonstrating to us what can happen when justice is balanced with compassion.
Robert Leonard, who co-owned a restaurant with Caprio, said he was amazing and would be much missed.
“He would do anything for you if he could,” Leonard remarked.
After serving on the bench for almost 40 years, Caprio retired from Providence Municipal Court in 2023.
Caprio was raised in Providence, Rhode Island’s Federal Hill area as the second of three sons, according to his biography.
I hope that people will learn that the government’s institutions can operate well if they are courteous, equitable, and compassionate in their decisions. In 2017, he stated, “We live in a very contentious society.” People will see that we can administer justice without being tyrannical, I hope.
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The main author of this obituary was LeBlanc, a journalist for the Associated Press who retired in January. This report was written by Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu and Michael Casey in Boston for the Associated Press.
