Wikipedia

Frank Caprio

(Redirected from Frank Caprio (judge))
This article is about the American judge. For his son, see Frank T. Caprio.

Frank Caprio (November 24, 1936 – August 20, 2025) was an American judge and politician who served as the chief judge of the municipal court of Providence, Rhode Island, and chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education. His judicial work was televised on the program Caught in Providence. He also made appearances in the series Parking Wars, adjudicating several cases of traffic violations. The Caught in Providence YouTube channel has 2.92 million subscribers. In 2017, his videos in the courtroom went viral, with more than 15 million views. By 2022, views of Caught in Providence neared 500 million. He became well known for his empathy and light humor in court. A Democrat, Caprio served on the Providence City Council in the 1960s, and unsuccessfully ran for both Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

Frank Caprio
Caprio in 2018
Chief Judge of the
Providence Municipal Court
In office
1985–2023
Appointed byJoseph R. Paolino Jr.
Succeeded byJohn J. Lombardi
Member of the Providence City Council
In office
1962–1968
Personal details
Born(1936-11-24)November 24, 1936
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedAugust 20, 2025(2025-08-20) (aged 88)
Providence, Rhode Island
Resting placeSt. Ann Cemetery, Cranston, Rhode Island
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Joyce Caprio
​
(m. 1965)​
Children5, including Frank and David
Education
Military service
Branch
Service years1954–1962
Unit876th Combat Engineer Battalion

Early life and education

edit

Caprio was born in the Italian-American neighborhood of Federal Hill, Providence, the second of three sons of Antonio Caprio, an immigrant from Teano, Italy, and Filomena Caprio, a Providence native whose family had immigrated from Naples, Italy.[1]

Caprio's father, Antonio "Tup" Caprio, a fruit peddler and milkman,[1][2] was a major influence in his life, firmly teaching his children to study and be compassionate to the poor, and continuing to be a "powerful presence" during his son's work as a judge.[3] In his later years, Tup Caprio worked as a psychologist, being a published author on social psychology.[4]

Caprio attended Providence public schools while working as a dishwasher and shoe-shiner. He graduated from Central High School, where he won the state title in wrestling in 1953.[5] He earned a bachelor's degree in 1958 from Providence College, a Catholic university founded by the Dominican Order.[6] After graduating, he began teaching American government at Hope High School in Providence. While teaching at Hope, Caprio attended night school at the Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, earning his law degree in 1965.[7][8]

Caprio also served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard from 1954 to 1962 in the 876th Combat Engineer Battalion. During his time in the Army National Guard, Caprio was assigned to Camp Varnum in Narragansett, Rhode Island and Fort Indiantown Gap in East Hanover Township, Pennsylvania.[1][5][9][10]

Political career

edit

Caprio was elected to the Providence City Council in 1962 and served until 1968.[11][12] He represented the city's 13th ward. He faced a Democratic primary challenge for re-election in 1966 against Joseph L. Luongo in an election race which got heated enough that a mass brawl between as many as 400 supporters of the two candidates broke out in the Federal Hill neighborhood in September 1966 requiring twenty-five policemen to break-up.[13] While on the council, Caprio chaired the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning. His committee investigated allegations that the city's anti-poverty agency, Progress for Providence, was improperly allocating its funds.[14]

Caprio sought the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in 1968.[15] The party instead nominated J. Joseph Garrahy.[16] He unsuccessfully ran for Attorney General of Rhode Island in 1970, losing the general election to Republican Richard J. Israel,[17] with Israel receiving 56.7% of the vote to Caprio's 43.3%.[18] He was elected as a delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention in 1975 and was elected as a delegate to five Democratic National Conventions. He chaired the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, which controls major decisions for the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and Community College of Rhode Island.[1]

During the 1976 Democratic presidential primaries, Caprio served as the Rhode Island state chairman for the campaign California Governor Jerry Brown. Brown had declared his candidacy too late to compete in Rhode Island's primary, but his campaign was still seeking to secure the support of uncommitted delegates from the state.[19]

Judge of the Providence Municipal Court

edit

From 1985 to 2023, Caprio served as a Providence Municipal Court Judge.[20][21] Caprio released his book Compassion in the Court on February 4, 2025.[22]

Caught in Providence

edit

Parts of the proceedings over which he presided, featuring low-level citations, ran for more than two decades on local television.[23][24] Caprio's TV series, Caught in Providence, originated on PEG access television in Rhode Island in 1988 and was later picked up by ABC station WLNE-TV in 2000, initially airing late on Saturday nights.[12][25] After a hiatus, Caught in Providence returned in 2015 and aired after the 11 o'clock newscasts on Saturdays until September 2017.[26] Clips from this show went viral in the 2010s, starting with one about Caprio's reaction to a parking ticket issued 2 seconds before permissability.[27][28] The program also received coverage from media organizations around the world, such as NBC News.[29] On September 24, 2018, Caught in Providence went into national syndication.[30] The show was renewed for a second season of syndication in January 2019.[31] Caught in Providence was produced by Caprio's brother Joe Caprio, who has stated that the show would cease filming with Caprio's retirement.[32] Fifty episodes are consolidated into a single season and made available on Prime Video.[33]

In 2017, his videos in the courtroom went viral, with more than 15 million views.[34][35] In 2022, views of Caught in Providence neared 500 million,[36] and one video shared on Pulptastic had 43.6 million views on YouTube.[37] He became well known for his empathy and light humor in court.[38] The Caught in Providence YouTube channel has 2.92 million subscribers.[39] Caprio also made appearances in the series Parking Wars, adjudicating several cases of traffic violations.[39]

Community outreach

edit

At Suffolk University School of Law, Caprio founded the Antonio "Tup" Caprio Scholarship Fund.[6] This scholarship, named after Caprio's father, who had only a fifth-grade education, is for Rhode Island students committed to improving access to legal services in Rhode Island urban core neighborhoods. He also established scholarships at Providence College, Suffolk Law School, and for graduates of Central High School, named in honor of his father.[40]

Caprio was involved in the Boys Town of Italy, the Nickerson House Juvenile Court, and Rhode Island Food Bank. In 1983 he co-chaired the Rhode Island Statue of Liberty Foundation (raising funds for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island). Caprio was also a member of the Board of Regents of Elementary and Secondary education and the Governor's Pre-K through 16 Council on education.[41] He was a member of the President's Council at Providence College.[5]

Awards and honors

edit
 
Caprio at the 2021 Bristol Fourth of July Parade

Caprio was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law by his alma mater Suffolk University Law School in 1991 and Providence College in 2008,[42] and also received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of Rhode Island in 2016.[43] In August 2018, he received the Producer's Circle Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.[44]

Following Caprio's retirement, the Providence City Council passed legislation to rename his former municipal courtroom 'The Chief Judge Frank Caprio Courtroom'. The dedication ceremony took place on October 20, 2023.[45] Earlier that month he was sworn in as Chief Judge Emeritus of the Providence Municipal Court, although the title was largely ceremonial and Caprio stated that he had no intention of returning to the bench.[46]

Personal life

edit

Caprio was married to Joyce E. Caprio.[1] They had five children: Frank T. Caprio, David Caprio, Marissa Caprio Pesce, John Caprio, and Paul Caprio,[1] as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.[1] An avid Boston Red Sox fan, Caprio threw the ceremonial first pitch on July 25, 2019, at Fenway Park, when the Red Sox played the New York Yankees.[47]

A devout Catholic, Caprio averred: “I have a deep and abiding faith in the Catholic Church, in Jesus, in the power of prayer.”[48]

Caprio was a partner in the Coast Guard House Restaurant in Narragansett, Rhode Island.[6]

Illness and death

edit

On December 6, 2023, Caprio announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.[49] He completed his final round of radiation treatment in May 2024.[50]

On August 19, 2025, he posted on social media from his hospital bed, stating that he had been admitted following a health setback. Caprio died the following day at the age of 88.[51][52]

His funeral took place on August 29, at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence, and was live streamed on social media.[53] He is buried at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston, Rhode Island.[54]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Judge Frank Caprio Wants Justice for All". February 20, 2019. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  2. ^ "Caprio: Leave the ladder down, so others may follow". independentri.com. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  3. ^ "Frank Caprio, famed judge known for showing mercy, dies at 88". Catholic News Agency.
  4. ^ Byle, Hal (September 20, 1968). "Nation Is Having A Fight". Newport Daily News The Associated Press. p. 12. Retrieved August 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c "Providence is home court for TV Judge Frank Caprio '58 & '08Hon". news.providence.edu. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c 1998 Congressional Record, Vol. 144, Page S5244
  7. ^ "The civics lesson and the last chance for a pan handler: Judge Caprio trying a school teacher". You tube (Caught in Providence Channel). You Tube / Caught in Providence. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  8. ^ "Using the Law to Lift Up Lives - Suffolk University". www.suffolk.edu. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  9. ^ "A Family of Veterans, Hurricane High Gravity, and Help Yourself". Archived January 29, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. YouTube.com. November 15, 2018.
  10. ^ Bolinger, James. "Compassionate rulings make judge with soft spot for veterans an internet sensation". Archived August 12, 2020, at the Wayback Machine. Stars and Stripes. November 8, 2018.
  11. ^ "Frank Caprio, judge whose kindness led to online fame, dies at 88". The Washington Post. August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Judge Frank Caprio Dies". The New York Times. August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "Police Stop Fistfight In Federal Hill". Newport Daily News. The Associated Press. September 12, 1966. p. 26. Retrieved August 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Antonucci, Carl A., Jr. (May 15, 2012). "Machine Politics and Urban Renewal in Providence, Rhode Island: The Era of Mayor Joseph A. Doorley, Jr., 1965-74". History & Classics Dissertations and Masters Theses (4). Retrieved August 22, 2025.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Councilman Is Candidate". Newport Daily News. The Associated Press. June 19, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved August 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Official Count of the Ballots Cast For Presidential Electors, Representatives In Congress, General Officers, Senators and Representatives In The General Assembly Tuesday, November 5, 1968 Also The Republican Primary, September 10, 1968 And The Democratic Primary, September 10, 1968" (PDF). Rhode Island Board of Elections. 1968. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  17. ^ Jeyaretnam, Miranda (August 21, 2025). "'Nicest Judge in the World' Frank Caprio Dies at 88". Time. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  18. ^ "Our Campaigns – RI Attorney General Race – Nov 03, 1970". Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  19. ^ "Teitz, Silva, to Support Brown for Nomination". Newport Mercury and Weekly News. May 28, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved August 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "History made as Providence City Council elects municipal court judges". WPRI.com. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "Caught in Providence". Official website. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  22. ^ "Compassion in the Court: Life-Changing Stories from America's Nicest Judge by Frank Caprio, Hardcover". Barnes and Noble. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  23. ^ Amaral, Brian. "'Caught in Providence' is now courting a national audience". Providence Journal. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  24. ^ "Saved by the car clock". YouTube. Caught in Providence. February 7, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  25. ^ Forliti, Amy (July 17, 2002). "Providence crime suspects star in courtroom TV show". Napa Valley Register. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  26. ^ "Caught in Providence Back on ABC 6". New England One. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  27. ^ "Judge Frank Caprio's Reaction to Woman's Parking Ticket Goes Viral". Fox Radio. February 10, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  28. ^ "Caught in Providence video goes viral on YouTube". abc6.com. WLNE-TV / ABC6. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  29. ^ Dahlgren, Kristen. "Viral Judge Frank Caprio Rules With a Big Heart". NBC News. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  30. ^ "An honest boy". YouTube. Caught in Providence. July 14, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  31. ^ Albiniak, Paige (January 10, 2019). "'Caught in Providence' Cleared to Return for Season Two". NextTV. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  32. ^ "Judge Caprio retiring as chief justice fate of Caught in Providence show unclear". The Providence Journal. January 13, 2023. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  33. ^ "Watch Caught in Providence". Amazon Prime Video. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  34. ^ "80-year-old judge becomes unlikely internet star". CBS News. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  35. ^ "Viral Judge Frank Caprio Rules With A Big Heart". NBC News. November 7, 2017 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ "Caught in Providence". YouTube. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  37. ^ This Judge Had the Best Reaction to This Little Boy's Honesty. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  38. ^ Begnaud, David; Novak, Analisa (June 24, 2024). "Social media sensation Judge Frank Caprio on compassion, kindness and his cancer diagnosis". CBS Detroit. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  39. ^ a b Farzan, Antonia Noori. "RI's Judge Frank Caprio gets 'CBS Mornings' segment after numerous viewer requests". The Providence Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  40. ^ "Who is judge Frank Caprio? Top 7 videos that made him an internet sensation". International Business Times, India Edition. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  41. ^ "Task Force Will Boost Numbers Completing Degrees" (PDF). Highlights. No. 1. Rhode Island Office of Higher Education. Winter 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  42. ^ "Caprio: Leave the ladder down, so others may follow". The Independent. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  43. ^ "Commencement 2016: University of Rhode Island to present 5 honorary doctorates this year". University of Rhode Island. URI Today. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  44. ^ "LIVE: Caprio's "Caught in Providence" Begins National Distribution". GoLocalProv. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  45. ^ Bang, Amanda (October 20, 2023). "Providence courtroom renamed in honor of former Chief Judge Frank Caprio". WJAR-TV. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  46. ^ Russo, Amy (October 11, 2023). "Frank Caprio, judge in 'Caught in Providence' is retired. What he does now". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  47. ^ "Judge Caprio to throw out first pitch at Yankees-Red Sox game on Thursday". providencejournal.com. July 23, 2019. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  48. ^ Abuzeid, Amira (August 20, 2025). "Frank Caprio, famed judge known for showing mercy, dies at 88". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  49. ^ Etienne, Vanessa (December 11, 2023). "TV Judge Frank Caprio Reveals Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis in Emotional Video: 'Please Pray for Me'". People. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  50. ^ "Judge Frank Caprio rings the bell as he finishes radiation treatment". WJAR. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  51. ^ DaSilva, Melanie (August 20, 2025). "Judge Frank Caprio, known for 'Caught in Providence,' dies at 88". WPRI-TV. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  52. ^ Parent, Tabitha (August 20, 2025). "TikTok Famous Judge Frank Caprio Dies at Age 88". People. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  53. ^ "Judge Frank Caprio's death leaves mourners remembering his compassion that drew many online fans". NBC News. August 29, 2025.
  54. ^ "Judge Frank Caprio Honored With Rhode Island's Version of a State Funeral". ripbs. August 29, 2025.
edit
Party political offices
Preceded by
Anthony Brosco
 Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Rhode Island
1970 		Succeeded by
Dominic Cresto
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Caprio&oldid=1308737643"