Judge Frank Caprio, the Rhode Island jurist whose compassion and gentle humour earned him the reputation of being “the nicest judge in the world”, died on Wednesday at the age of 88. His family confirmed his passing in a statement, noting that he had “passed away peacefully” after a prolonged fight with pancreatic cancer.
Just hours before his death, Caprio had posted a video from his hospital bed on Instagram, where he spoke directly to his 3.2 million followers. “I’m coming to you again asking you to remember me in your prayers once more,” he said softly in the clip. “So I ask you again, if it’s not too much, that you can remember me in your prayers.” The video, captioned with the words, “As I continue this difficult battle, your prayers will lift my spirit,” was his final message to the public.
Caprio became a household name through the Emmy-nominated television programme "Caught in Providence", which aired between 2018 and 2020 and was filmed in his own courtroom at the Providence Municipal Court. His folksy charm, patience, and willingness to listen made the programme a viral success. Clips of his interactions with defendants — often featuring light-hearted exchanges with children, empathetic listening to people’s struggles, and a readiness to forgive fines — have been viewed over a billion times on social media.
A statement shared on his official Facebook page confirmed his death: “Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond. His warmth, humour, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
The post continued: “He will be remembered not only as a respected judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired. In his honour, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world — just as he did every day.”
His son also confirmed his death publicly, thanking supporters for their prayers.
Tributes poured in across social media. One individual wrote: “Goodbye, merciful judge. May your soul Rest In Peace and tranquillity.” Another commented: “Today, we bid farewell to Judge Frank Caprio—forever ‘the nicest judge in the world.’ Through every ruling and every story, he showed us that justice and compassion go hand in hand. His warmth, humor, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people touched millions. Judge Caprio passed away peacefully at 88 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. In his honor, may we carry forward his legacy by leading with empathy every day.”
A third admirer reflected on his online presence: “Awe, he was a joy to watch on his videos. A lovely, fair but just man. RIP Judge Frank Caprio.” A fourth tribute read: “Heaven gained an angel today. Judge Frank Caprio wasn’t just a judge—he was a symbol of kindness, empathy, and humanity. Through his compassion, he showed us that justice can be both fair and full of heart. His legacy will live on forever. Rest in peace”
Caprio first disclosed his cancer diagnosis in 2023 in a video message where he spoke candidly about beginning treatment in Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. “I have pancreatic cancer. My family is rallying around me, and I will be undergoing treatment,” he had told followers at the time.
In 2024, he reported progress, announcing that he had completed a course of radiation therapy. After ringing the ceremonial bell at Baptist Health Cancer Care in Miami, he declared: “After my final radiation treatment at Baptist Health Cancer Care Baptist Health, I rang the bell and am on my way to happy days!” He posted a photograph from the Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute to mark the milestone.
Despite moments of optimism, his health worsened in recent months. He was admitted to hospital again last week, where he shared further videos from his bed, acknowledging that he had experienced a “setback” and asking the public once more to remember him in their prayers.
Frank Caprio was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1936, into an Italian-American family in the Federal Hill neighbourhood. The second of three brothers, he grew up in modest circumstances and later pursued a legal career that would eventually make him one of the most beloved figures in American judicial life.
He began serving on the Providence Municipal Court in the 1980s, and in 1985 became Chief Judge, a position he held until his retirement in 2023. Over nearly four decades, he became known for his humane approach to the law.
Speaking in 2017 about his philosophy, Caprio explained: “I hope that people will take away that the institutions of government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion in their deliberations. We live in a very contentious society. I would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.”
Through "Caught in Providence", Caprio’s style of justice reached far beyond Rhode Island. Episodes often showed him inviting children to sit beside him on the bench to help decide cases, or dismissing fines for those facing hardship. One well-known clip showed him cancelling tickets totalling $400 for a grieving mother whose son had been killed. In another, he forgave a red-light violation for a bartender earning just $3.84 an hour, before urging viewers not to leave restaurant staff underpaid.
Caprio continued to inspire even as he battled illness. Earlier this year, in 2025, he announced a forthcoming book. His final months were spent under the care of doctors and surrounded by family, while continuing to communicate with his millions of admirers online.
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