Judge Frank Caprio, the compassionate Providence Municipal Court judge who gained worldwide fame through Caught in Providence, has died at 88 after battling pancreatic cancer. Born in 1936 to Italian immigrant parents, Caprio rose from humble beginnings to a life of public service.
He served on the Providence City Council before beginning a 38-year judicial career that redefined justice with kindness and empathy. On Caught in Providence, his warmth and fairness turned routine traffic cases into powerful lessons in compassion. Viral clips of him forgiving fines or offering encouragement made him a global symbol of humanity in the courtroom.
Beyond the bench, Caprio championed education, creating scholarships and serving as chairman of Rhode Island’s Board of Governors for Higher Education. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and their five children. His legacy endures as proof that justice, when guided by empathy, can change lives.