Frank Caprio, the retired Rhode Island judge who became a global internet sensation for his compassion and humour in the courtroom, has died aged 88. His family announced his passing on Wednesday, saying he had been battling pancreatic cancer since 2023.
Caprio served as chief judge of the Providence Municipal Court and chaired the Rhode Island board of governors for higher education. But it was his role handling traffic violations on his courtroom show ‘Caught in Providence’ that earned him international recognition.
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Clips from the programme, showing him dismissing fines after hearing stories of hardship or urging defendants to give back through acts of charity, went viral from 2017. By 2022, his videos had amassed hundreds of millions of views online, including nearly three million YouTube subscribers.
His family paid tribute to him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, saying his warmth, humour, and belief in the goodness of people touched millions worldwide. Hours before his death, Caprio had asked the public for prayers, while his son urged people to honour his legacy by showing kindness to one another.
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