Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge from Rhode Island, passed away at 88 after battling pancreatic cancer. Known for his humility and kindness, he rose to fame through his TV show Caught in Providence, where his compassionate approach to justice touched millions. Often forgiving tickets or treating defendants with empathy, Judge Caprio believed his courtroom should be a place “where people and cases are met with kindness and compassion.”
Judge Caprio once handled a lighthearted case that became unforgettable. A couple married for 43 years appeared in court over a speeding ticket. The wife, Linda Fields, quickly pointed at her husband, saying, “This is my wonderful husband. I got the ticket, but he was driving my car. I’m not guilty, he is.” Her comment made everyone in the courtroom laugh.
She explained that her husband drove through a yellow light, telling her to just pay the fine, but they later learned it was actually a red light. At the time, he was under stress as their son was in the hospital after a serious accident, and he was visiting three times a day.
Judge Caprio joked, “So, you came here to throw him under the bus?” to which she replied, “I’m not throwing myself under.” After the light banter, the judge dismissed the case, and the humorous yet touching exchange became one of the most memorable examples of his compassionate style of justice.
Judge Caprio studied at Providence College and later at Suffolk University Law School. He also served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard. In 1962, he was elected to the Providence City Council. From 1985 until his retirement in 2023, he worked as a municipal judge in Providence.
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