Judge Frank Caprio dies at 88
Retired Providence municipal judge Frank Caprio, whose televised court program “Caught in Providence” brought him global recognition for his compassion and fairness, has died at the age of 88. His family confirmed Wednesday that he passed away peacefully after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Caprio, who retired in 2023 after nearly four decades on the bench, became widely admired for turning routine traffic and municipal hearings into moments of empathy and humanity. His court sessions, filmed for “Caught in Providence,” drew over one billion views worldwide, offering a rare picture of justice tempered with kindness.
Just last week, Caprio posted a message from the hospital, asking supporters to keep him in their prayers. Years earlier, reflecting on his career, he said: “I would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.”
