Frank Caprio, the beloved Rhode Island municipal court judge who gained international fame through his reality television show “Caught in Providence,” died peacefully on August 20, 2025, at age 88 following a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer.
Caprio’s family announced his death through his official social media accounts on Wednesday evening, describing him as beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people. The family noted that his warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Known affectionately as “The Nicest Judge in the World,” Caprio served as chief judge of the Providence Municipal Court from 1985 until his retirement in 2023, spanning nearly four decades on the bench. His approach to justice was characterized by empathy and understanding, often telling people, said multiple times, “I don’t wear a badge under my robe. I wear a heart.”
The judge first revealed his cancer diagnosis in December 2023, shortly after his 87th birthday, describing pancreatic cancer as an insidious form of the disease. In an emotional video posted to his social media accounts, Caprio expressed his determination to fight the illness with the help of medical teams at both Rhode Island hospitals and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Just one day before his death, on August 19, 2025, Caprio posted what would be his final video message from his hospital bed, informing his 3.3 million Instagram followers that he had suffered a setback and was asking for prayers once again. In the touching message, he expressed gratitude for the support he had received during his initial treatment and requested continued prayers from his followers.
Caprio rose to prominence through his reality television show “Caught in Providence,” which originally aired on local access television before being picked up by Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury division for national syndication. The show ran from 2018 to 2020 and earned four Daytime Emmy Award nominations, including three for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program and one individual nomination for Caprio as Outstanding Daytime Personality in 2024.
Video clips from the show garnered more than one billion views across social media platforms, showcasing Caprio’s unique approach to municipal court cases. He frequently dismissed fines for people facing financial hardships, set up payment plans for those unable to pay immediately, and often invited children to join him on the bench to help decide their parents’ cases. In one notable instance, he dismissed $400 in tickets and fines for a woman whose son had been killed.
Beyond entertainment, Caprio used his platform to address systemic issues within the judicial system. He highlighted how nearly 90 percent of low-income Americans are forced to navigate civil issues including healthcare disputes, unjust evictions, veterans benefits, and traffic violations without legal representation.
Born in 1936 to Italian immigrant parents in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Caprio was the second of three boys. His father worked as both a fruit peddler and milkman, while his mother stayed home. Before becoming a judge, Caprio taught civics at a local high school while studying law at night.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee ordered all state flags to be flown at half-staff until Caprio’s interment, calling him a Rhode Island treasure. McKee described Caprio as more than a jurist, noting he was a symbol of empathy on the bench who demonstrated what was possible when justice is tempered with humanity.
The “Caught in Providence” YouTube channel continued publishing content featuring footage from Caprio’s courtroom sessions even after his retirement, with new videos appearing as recently as eight months before his death. In February 2025, he published a memoir titled “Compassion in the Court: Life-Changing Stories from America’s Nicest Judge.”
Following his retirement in October 2023, Caprio was granted the honorary title of chief judge emeritus, a ceremonial position that came with neither pay nor active bench time. Providence Democrat Rep. John Lombardi succeeded him as chief judge of the municipal court.
Caprio completed his final radiation treatment session in May 2024, but experienced complications that led to his hospitalization in his final days. He is survived by his wife Joyce, whom he married nearly 60 years ago, five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
