Judge Frank Caprio, affectionately dubbed the “nicest judge in the world” for his compassionate courtroom style, has died aged 88 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Caprio spent nearly four decades on the bench in Providence, Rhode Island, becoming an unlikely global sensation after videos of his kind-hearted rulings went viral. His cases, often involving minor traffic violations, were showcased in the television series Caught in Providence, which ran until his retirement in 2023.
A judge with compassion
Unlike many TV courtroom figures, Caprio became renowned for his gentle approach and empathy. His judgments – often marked by humour, patience and understanding – were viewed more than a billion times across social media platforms.
In one viral clip, he dismissed a ticket for a bartender who ran a red light while earning just $4 an hour. In another, he showed deep compassion to a grieving mother whose son had been killed, waiving hundreds of dollars in fines.
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