Frank Caprio, the longtime Chief Judge of Providence Municipal Court and the face of the hit reality series Caught in Providence, has passed away at the age of 88 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, his family confirmed. He died peacefully on Wednesday, August 20.
In a heartfelt statement shared on Facebook, his family wrote: “Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. In his honour, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world – just as he did every day.”
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee paid tribute, ordering flags at state buildings to fly at half-mast until Caprio’s burial. Calling him “a Rhode Island treasure,” McKee reflected: “Judge Caprio was a friend who faced his illness with bravery, and I will miss him dearly. He not only served the public well but also connected with people in a meaningful way, showing us all what justice with humanity can look like.”
Caprio gained international recognition through Caught in Providence, a courtroom reality show that captured his unique style of justice—marked by empathy, humour, and deep humanity in handling minor offences. For over two decades, the programme aired locally before expanding nationwide. Later, viral clips on YouTube attracted millions of viewers, solidifying his reputation as “America’s Nicest Judge.”
“I don’t wear a badge under my robe,” he famously said. “I wear a heart.” Earlier this year, he published his memoir Compassion in the Court: Life-Changing Stories from America’s Nicest Judge.
Caprio publicly revealed his diagnosis in December 2023, updating his 1.7 million Instagram followers throughout treatment. In one post, he listened to singer Jewel during chemotherapy—an artist who later expressed her gratitude for bringing him comfort.
Judge Frank Caprio leaves behind a legacy of kindness, remembered far beyond Rhode Island as a symbol of justice delivered with compassion.
