PESHAWAR: Judge Frank Caprio, who became a global symbol of kindness in the courtroom, has died at 88 after a long fight with pancreatic cancer.
His family confirmed his death today through his official social media pages, reported by BBC.
Only a week before his passing, Caprio shared a special Independence Day message for Pakistan. In a photo holding the Pakistani flag, he wished the nation pride, hope, and a bright future. The post quickly went viral among Pakistani social media users.
Caprio gained worldwide recognition through his television program Caught in Providence, where he presided over minor traffic cases. His approach of mixing fairness with empathy made him stand out. The show’es clips, often featuring him forgiving fines or engaging warmly with defendants, have been viewed over a billion times across platforms.
Stories of his kindness spread widely. He excused penalties for struggling parents, dismissed tickets for grieving families, and even waived fines for elderly citizens facing emergencies. These gestures turned him into one of the most admired judges of recent decades.
Caprio also developed a strong connection with Pakistanis in the United States. In 2022, he invited a Pakistani student, whom he had excused from a traffic fine, to dinner at his home. The student brought traditional food, which Caprio enjoyed, calling it a memorable evening. In another case, a Pakistani couple presented him with a Chitrali cap after he showed leniency in court.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee called him “a figure of compassion and humanity who showed that justice can be served with empathy.” Messages of condolence have poured in from Pakistan and across the world, with many remembering him as “the world’s kindest judge.”
Judge Frank Caprio’s legacy continues through the lives he touched, reminding people everywhere that justice and compassion can exist side by side.
