Frank Caprio, Beloved ‘Nicest Judge in the World,’ Dies at 88
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Frank Caprio, the Rhode Island judge whose blend of fairness, humor, and compassion turned routine traffic cases into moments of humanity — and made him a global internet sensation as the “Nicest Judge in the World” — has died at the age of 88.
Caprio passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his family confirmed. In his final months, he remained a figure of humility and grace, even sharing a heartfelt video appeal from his hospital bed asking for prayers from supporters around the world.
Born in Providence in 1936, Caprio rose from modest beginnings to become chief judge of the Providence Municipal Court, a position he held for decades. Though he presided over thousands of cases, it was his extraordinary ability to deliver justice with compassion that set him apart. His courtroom became the stage for Caught in Providence, a television program that later went viral online.
From 2018 to 2020, the show reached national syndication, but clips of Caprio’s rulings spread far beyond American television. Viewed more than a billion times on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, these videos often showed him dismissing parking tickets for struggling families, inviting children to help him decide cases, or lightening fines with warmth and humor. For many, his approach embodied a different vision of justice: firm yet kind, rooted in empathy as much as law.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee called Caprio “a true Rhode Island treasure” and ordered state flags to fly at half-staff in his honor. “Judge Caprio showed the world that justice and kindness can walk hand in hand,” McKee said. “He leaves behind not only a legacy of law but a legacy of love.”
Caprio’s reputation extended beyond the viral fame. To his community, he was a mentor, philanthropist, and advocate for education. He often credited his own teachers and parents for instilling values of hard work and service, and in turn, he supported numerous scholarships and initiatives to help young people pursue education.
Even as his fame grew, Caprio insisted he was simply doing his job. “Every case is a human story,” he once remarked in an interview. “Behind every ticket is someone’s life — their struggles, their joys, their heartbreak. If we forget that, we forget what justice is meant to be.”
Tributes have poured in from around the world. Social media platforms were filled with fans sharing their favorite courtroom clips, recalling the judge who made them smile or brought them to tears with his gentle wisdom. Fellow judges and legal professionals also highlighted his example as a reminder that compassion has a place in every courtroom.
Caprio is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce, their five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His son, David Caprio, said the family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. “My father’s greatest wish was that people would carry forward a little kindness in his name,” he said.
For many, Judge Frank Caprio represented not only the law but the best of humanity. His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter, but the echoes of his kindness — captured in countless rulings and shared across the globe — will continue to inspire.