Frank Caprio, the retired municipal judge from Providence, Rhode Island, who became an unlikely global sensation for his compassion and humor on the courtroom television show Caught in Providence, has died at the age of 88.

His family announced through his official social media accounts that he “passed away peacefully” on Wednesday after what they described as “a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.”

Caprio, fondly known as “the kindest judge in America,” rose to fame by bringing warmth and humanity into the courtroom.

His show, filmed inside Providence Municipal Court, featured real-life cases mostly minor traffic violations where he often dismissed fines or showed leniency, blending justice with compassion.

Clips from Caught in Providence have since been viewed more than one billion times across social media platforms.

Unlike other television judges known for sternness and confrontation, Caprio developed a persona rooted in empathy.

He became especially popular for inviting children to the bench to “help” decide cases involving their parents, or for listening patiently to stories of hardship before handing down verdicts.

In one viral video, he dismissed $400 (about Ksh 51,600) in fines for a grieving mother whose son had been killed, while in another, he sympathized with a struggling bartender earning just $3.84 (about Ksh 495) per hour.

Beyond the lighthearted moments, Caprio used his platform to highlight deeper issues, such as unequal access to justice.

“The phrase, ‘With liberty and justice for all’ represents the idea that justice should be accessible to everyone. However, it is not,” he said in one of his most-watched clips, lamenting how low-income Americans often face the legal system without support.

Tributes poured in following news of his death. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee praised Caprio as “a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.” Friends and colleagues remembered him as generous and devoted to his community.

Caprio retired in 2023 after nearly four decades on the bench. Born in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood as the second of three boys, he often credited his humble upbringing for shaping his values of kindness and fairness.

His family described him as “a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend” whose legacy of compassion would endure.

“Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions,” they said. “His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”

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