Frank Caprio, renowned “caught in providence” judge passes away

Frank Caprio, the longtime Chief Judge of Providence Municipal Court and star of the viral TV series Caught in Providence, has died at 88 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

His son, Frank T. Caprio, announced the news on August 20 via a family statement, describing his father as “beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people.” The statement added that Caprio “touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond” and will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Caprio was first elected municipal court judge in 1985 and served nearly four decades. He rose to international fame through Caught in Providence, which highlighted his empathy, fairness, and humor while adjudicating traffic violation cases. The series ran for over 20 years, earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2021, and reached millions of viewers worldwide through syndicated broadcasts and viral social media clips.

He retired from the bench in January 2023, and later that year, Providence honored him by renaming its municipal courtroom after him. Caprio had revealed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in December 2023 and completed his last radiation treatment in May 2024.

He is survived by his wife Joyce, five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.