Frank Caprio, the beloved American judge known as the "nicest judge in the world," has died aged 88 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The Providence, Rhode Island municipal court judge gained international fame through compassionate viral videos that were viewed more than a billion times across social media platforms.
Caprio served on the bench for almost four decades before retiring in 2023. His unique approach to justice was documented in the television show "Caught in Providence," which according to The Independent received three Daytime Emmy nominations, with Caprio himself nominated for a "Daytime Personality - Daily" award in 2024.
The judge's Instagram page, which had 3.2 million followers, announced his death on Wednesday. A statement described him as "beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people."
Compassionate courtroom approach
Caprio's persona stood in stark contrast to other television judges, who typically adopted more confrontational approaches. In one widely-shared clip, he dismissed a traffic ticket for a bartender who had run a red light, noting they earned less than four dollars an hour.
Another popular video showed him listening sympathetically to a woman whose son had been killed, before dismissing her tickets and fines totalling 400 dollars. These moments of empathy resonated with millions of viewers worldwide and established his reputation for tempering justice with humanity.
The judge also used his platform to highlight inequality within the justice system. "Almost 90% of low-income Americans are forced to battle civil issues like health care, unjust evictions, veterans benefits and, yes, even traffic violations, alone," he said in one video.
Final message and tributes
Just one day before the death announcement, Caprio had posted a message from his hospital bed. "Unfortunately I've had a setback, I'm back in the hospital now, and I'm coming to you again asking you to remember me in your prayers once more," he wrote.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee paid tribute to Caprio's "warmth and compassion" following news of his death. "He was more than a jurist - he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity," McKee said.
According to The Independent, Caprio grew up in Providence's Federal Hill neighbourhood and came from humble beginnings, with his Italian immigrant father shaping his compassionate judicial philosophy through early courtroom lessons.
Sources used: "Sky News", "The Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
