Frank Caprio, a retired city judge in Rhode Island, became famous online for his compassionate nature, as host of the Reality Court series in which Providence was caught, at the age of 88.
Caprio’s official social media account said he “died peacefully” after a long and brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
The judge used his court as “a place where people and cases are full of kindness and compassion.” Caprio’s performance was filmed in his courtroom and features his folk humor and compassion. The clips of the show attracted more than 1 billion views on social media.
Caprio’s time on the bench contradicted the roles of many other TV judges – more sympathetic, less confrontational. He also uses his reputation to address inequality such as lack of access to the justice system.
“Using the word freedom and justice” represents the idea that everyone should be able to access justice. But that’s not.” “Almost 90% of low-income Americans are forced to fight against health care, unjust evictions, veterans’ welfare, and even civil issues that violate traffic violations.”
His most popular videos are those he calls his kids to the bench to help judge parents. A man showed his sympathy to hear a son being killed and then dismissed her ticket and fined $400 for the woman.
Caprio’s family described him as “a devout husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend”.
“Beloved by people for his sympathy, humility and unwavering belief, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courts and beyond,” the family wrote online. “His warmth, humor and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.”
State and local politicians mourn his death. “Judge Caprio not only serves the public but he contacts them in a meaningful way, and people can’t help but respond to his warmth and compassion,” Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said in a statement. “He is more than just a jurist – he is a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us the possibility of justice when humans are corrected.”
Caprio retired from Providence City Court in 2023 after nearly four decades working on the bench.
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According to his biography, Caprio comes from a modest beginning, the second of three boys who grew up in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence in Rhode Island.
“I hope people can show kindness, fairness and compassion by exercising goodness, fairness and compassion in deliberations, and can show greatness through kindness, fairness and compassion,” he said in 2017.
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