Frank Caprio, Emmy-nominated judge of ‘Caught in Providence,’ passes away at 88; netizens react: ‘Nicest judge in the world’

 

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Just a day before his passing, Caprio had shared a moving message on Instagram, asking his followers to keep him in their thoughts as he faced another round in his cancer battle. “Unfortunately, I’ve had a setback, and I’m back at the hospital,” he said in a video, adding, “As I continue this difficult battle, your prayers will lift my spirit. I’m a great believer in the power of prayers.

 

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His son David Caprio took to Instagram to break the news. “It is with profound sadness that I with you the news that my father judge Frank Caprio passed away today peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. After a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. 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,” said David in the video.

“In his memory, please spread a little kindness today,” he further adds.

 

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The news of Caprio’s demise went viral over social media. Netizens took to X to share their tributes to him. Many took to the comments to write about him and many shared clippings of his famous and heartfelt judgements.

Viral judge Frank Caprio has passed away at 88. pic.twitter.com/e37vA08rTJ

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 20, 2025

A user wrote, “Judge Caprio is THE example of what Humanity means.” Another user added, “As he heads for his final judgement, I have no doubt that Judge Frank Caprio will be judged in the same way that he carried out business in his court; with kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and an open heart.”

 

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Who was Frank Caprio?

Frank Caprio earned the nickname “the nicest judge in the world” thanks to the warmth and compassion he brought into his courtroom. Instead of treating cases as mere legal formalities, he often approached them with empathy, giving people a chance to explain their struggles and reminding them that justice should never lose its human touch.

Clips from his sessions, where he forgave fines for families in tough situations or shared a few words of encouragement, spread across social media, reaching more than a billion views.

A lifelong resident of Providence, Rhode Island, Caprio spent decades on the municipal bench before his work was introduced to television. His show Caught in Providence, which aired nationally between 2018 and 2020 and received multiple Daytime Emmy nominations, showcased his philosophy: that fairness, kindness, and respect for dignity are as essential to justice as the law itself.

Some of his most endearing moments came when he invited children to sit beside him and “help” decide cases involving their parents, blending humor with heartfelt lessons. His rulings often carried broader messages, sometimes even gentle warnings about social media habits or reminders about everyday decency. In one unforgettable case, after waiving a red-light ticket for a bartender making only $3.84 an hour, Caprio looked into the camera and told viewers: “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.”