Frank Caprio, the beloved judge from Rhode Island who earned worldwide fame as “the kindest judge in the world,” has died at the age of 88 after a long battle with cancer.
News of his death was announced earlier today through his official social media accounts, just hours after he had shared a video message from his hospital bed, asking his followers to pray for his recovery.
Caprio retired last year after more than four decades of judicial service. During his 38 years on the Providence Municipal Court bench, he gained global recognition for his compassionate rulings and unique approach to justice. His courtroom became the focus of the popular TV show Caught in Providence, which aired on over 200 American networks. With over 26 million social media followers and more than 10 billion video views, Caprio became a global symbol of justice grounded in empathy. He was nominated four times for the prestigious Emmy Awards.
In the official statement announcing his passing, it read: “His legacy lives on in countless acts of kindness that inspired others. In his memory, let each of us bring a little more compassion into the world—just as he did every single day.”
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee issued a statement calling Caprio “a true treasure” of the state, and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast until the day of his funeral. “Judge Caprio exemplified empathy from the bench,” McKee said, “and reminded us how deeply human justice can be when guided by compassion.”
Frank Caprio, celebrated globally as the “compassionate judge,” leaves behind a legacy that transcends borders—one marked not only by fairness, but by the enduring power of kindness in the pursuit of justice.
