Judge Frank Caprio, ‘America’s nicest Judge,’ dies at 88

Frank Caprio, the Rhode Island judge whose warmth and empathy in handling minor offenses made him a viral sensation, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88 after battling pancreatic cancer.

Caprio, best known for his televised courtroom show Caught in Providence (2018–2020), earned worldwide admiration for listening with compassion to those facing traffic and parking violations, reported Al Arabiya.

Clips from the show continued to circulate widely online, cementing his reputation as “the nicest judge in the world.”

His family, in a statement, remembered him as “a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend,” whose legacy endures in the kindness he inspired. His son David said Caprio was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023 and died surrounded by loved ones.

Caprio served on the Providence Municipal Court bench from 1985 until his retirement in 2023. Earlier this year, he published his memoir Compassion in the Court: Life-Changing Stories from America’s Nicest Judge.