‘World’s Kindest Judge’ Frank Caprio Passes Away

Frank Caprio, the retired judge from Rhode Island in the United States, has passed away. Widely known online as the “world’s kindest judge,” he was 88 years old.

His official social media account announced that he died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Caprio rose to global fame through the television show Caught in Providence. During his years on the bench, he became beloved for his compassion and empathy. On numerous occasions, he waived fines for minor traffic violations and petty offenses. Videos from his courtroom, filled with humor, kindness, and humanity, have been viewed over a billion times on social media.

In countless YouTube clips, Caprio could be seen listening intently to the personal stories of people who appeared before him. At times, he even invited children to sit in the judge’s chair and decide their parents’ cases. He firmly believed that while the law was equal for all, in reality many low-income people were deprived of proper legal support.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said in a statement of condolence, “Judge Caprio not only served the people, he stood as an extraordinary symbol of humanity on the bench.”

After nearly four decades of service, Frank Caprio retired in 2023. He strongly believed that justice could be achieved through kindness, fairness, and compassion.