US Celebrity Judge Frank Caprio, A Worldwide Symbol of Justice with Kindness: Harmony Foundation
Over a 40-year career in Rhode Island, he famously used compassion and humour to make judgements that took into consideration the personal circumstances of the people in the dock
PUNE: The Harmony Foundation, a Mumbai-based NGO, on Thursday mourned the passing of US celebrity judge and social media star Frank Caprio, the beloved American jurist whose compassion in the courtroom touched millions worldwide. He was 88.
His death following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was announced on Wednesday on his official Instagram account, where he was remembered for his "warmth" and "unwavering belief in the goodness of people".
Over a 40-year career in Rhode Island, he famously used compassion and humour to make judgements that took into consideration the personal circumstances of the people in the dock.
“The loss of amiable Judge Caprio leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who witnessed his kindness through viral courtroom moments and his acclaimed TV show, Caught in Providence,” Dr. Abraham Mathai, founder-chairman of Harmony Foundation said in an August 21 statement.
Videos of Judge Caprio presiding over cases on his hit TV show Caught in Providence have had billions of views on social media, earning him the title the "nicest judge in the world".
The late Judge Caprio was the true epitome of justice and the very personification of integrity and compassion, Dr Mathai, also former vice chairman of Maharashtra State Minorities Commission.
Judges are often co-opted into the system by regimes out of step with justice to defend the status quo, yet this was not the case with the late Judge Caprio. "This embodiment of justice and compassion whose memory we are honouring truly revolutionized the outlook of the judicial and legal system from being viewed as punitive to restorative,” Mathai said.
Judge Caprio was the recipient of the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice 2023 and was felicitated for his extraordinary humane approach to addressing offenders in the courtroom. The award honoured his lifelong commitment to promoting peace, harmony, and social justice through empathetic jurisprudence”, the citation conferred on him noted.
Judge Caprio had presided over thousands of cases in his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, before embarking on a TV career.
“As we honor the legacy of Judge Caprio today, the Harmony Foundation extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched with his kindness and wisdom, both in the courtroom and beyond,” Dr Mathai said.
Judge Caprio is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce Caprio, as well as their five children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
