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Frank Caprio

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This article is about the American judge. For his son, see Frank T. Caprio.

Frank Caprio
Caprio in 2018
Chief Judge of the Municipal Court of Providence
In office
1985–2023
Appointed byJoseph R. Paolino Jr.
Succeeded byJohn Lombardi[1]
Member of the Providence City Council
In office
1962–1968
Personal details
Born
Francesco Caprio

(1936-11-24) November 24, 1936 (age 87)
Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic[2]
SpouseJoyce E. Caprio
Children5, including Frank and David
EducationProvidence College (BA)
Suffolk University (JD)
Military service
BranchRhode Island Army National Guard
Years of service1954–1962
Unit876th Combat Engineer Battalion

Francesco Caprio (born November 24, 1936) is an American retired judge and politician who served as the chief judge of the municipal court of Providence, Rhode Island, and chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education. His judicial work is televised on the program Caught in Providence.[3][4] He has also made appearances in the series Parking Wars, adjudicating several cases of traffic violations. The Caught in Providence Youtube channel has 2.85 million subscribers.[5]

In 2017, his videos in the courtroom went viral, with more than 15 million views.[6][7] In 2022, views of Caught in Providence neared 500 million,[8] and one video shared on Pulptastic had 43.6 million views on YouTube.[9]

Early life and education

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Caprio was born in the Italian American neighborhood of Federal Hill, Providence, the second of the three sons of Antonio Caprio, an immigrant from Teano, Italy, and Filomena Caprio, an Italian American mother from Providence whose family had immigrated from Naples, Italy.[10] His father worked as a fruit peddler and milkman.[10][11]

Caprio attended the Providence public schools while working as a dishwasher and shoe-shiner. He graduated from Central High School, where he won the state title in wrestling in 1953.[12] He earned a bachelor's degree from Providence College.[13] After graduating, he began teaching American government at Hope High School in Providence. While teaching at Hope, Caprio attended night school at the Suffolk University School of Law in Boston. This led to him joining the legal profession.[14] Caprio also served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard from 1954 to 1962 in the 876th Combat Engineer Battalion. During his time in the Army National Guard, Caprio was assigned to Camp Varnum in Narragansett and Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania.[10][12][15][16]

Career

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Caprio was elected to the Providence City Council in 1962 and served until 1968. He ran for Attorney General of Rhode Island in 1970, but lost the general election to Republican Richard J. Israel.[17] He was elected as a delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention in 1975 and has been elected as a delegate to five Democratic National Conventions. He chaired the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, which controls major decisions for the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and Community College of Rhode Island.[10] Since 1985, he has served as a Providence Municipal Court Judge.[4] Caprio is also a partner in the Coast Guard House Restaurant in Narragansett, Rhode Island.[13]

Caprio retired in January 2023.[18]

He will release his book Frank Caprio Compassion in the Court on February 4, 2025.[19]

Caught in Providence

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Parts of the proceedings over which he presided, featuring low-level citations, ran for more than two decades on local television.[20][21] Caprio's TV series, Caught in Providence, originated on PEG access television in Rhode Island and was first picked up by ABC station WLNE-TV in 2000, initially airing late on Saturday nights.[22] After a hiatus, Caught in Providence returned in 2015 and aired after the 11 o'clock newscasts on Saturdays until September 2017.[23] Clips from this show went viral in the 2010s.[24] The program has also received coverage from media organizations around the world, such as NBC News.[25] On September 24, 2018, Caught in Providence went into national syndication.[26] The show was renewed for a second season of syndication in January 2019.[27] Caught in Providence is produced by Caprio's brother Joe Caprio, who has stated that the show will cease filming with Caprio's retirement. [28] Fifty episodes are consolidated into a single season and made available on Prime Video. [29]

Community outreach

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At Suffolk University School of Law, Caprio founded the Antonio "Tup" Caprio Scholarship Fund.[13] This scholarship, named after Caprio's father, who had only a fifth-grade education, is for Rhode Island students committed to improving access to legal services in Rhode Island urban core neighborhoods. He has also established scholarships at Providence College, Suffolk Law School, and for graduates of Central High School, named in honor of his father.[30]

Caprio has been involved in the Boys Town of Italy, the Nickerson House Juvenile Court and Rhode Island Food Bank. In 1983 he co-chaired the Rhode Island Statue of Liberty Foundation (raising funds for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island). Caprio was also a member of the Board of Regents of Elementary and Secondary education and the Governor's Pre-K thru 16 Council on education.[31] He is a member of the President's Council at Providence College.[12]

Awards and honors

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Caprio was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law by his alma mater Suffolk University Law School in 1991 and Providence College in 2008,[32] and also received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of Rhode Island in 2016.[33] In August 2018, he received the Producer's Circle Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.[34]

Following Caprio's retirement the Providence City Council passed legislation to rename his old municipal courtroom the Chief Judge Frank Caprio Courtroom. The dedication ceremony took place on October 20, 2023.[35] Earlier that month he was sworn in as Chief Judge Emeritus of the Providence Municipal Court, although the title was largely ceremonial and Caprio stated that he had no intention of returning to the bench.[36]

Personal life

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Caprio has been married to Joyce E. Caprio for over 50 years.[10] They have five children: Frank T. Caprio, David Caprio, Marissa Caprio Pesce, John Caprio, and Paul Caprio.[10] They have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.[10] An avid Boston Red Sox fan, Caprio threw the ceremonial first pitch on July 25, 2019, at Fenway Park, when the Red Sox played the New York Yankees.[37]

After having recently celebrated his 87th birthday, on December 6, 2023, Caprio announced that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on a video posted on Facebook and YouTube. He advised those who wish to support him to keep him in their prayers, and praised his doctors for taking good care of him.[38][39] He finished his cancer treatment on May 24, 2024.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "History made as Providence City Council elects municipal court judges". WPRI.com. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  2. ^ "H 9114". State of Rhode Island in General Assembly. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  3. ^ "People having tough days". Caught in Providence You Tube Channel. Caught in Providence. March 15, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Caught in Providence". Official website. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  5. ^ https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/good-news/2024/06/24/ris-viral-judge-frank-caprio-gets-cbs-segment-amid-cancer-fight/74195199007/
  6. ^ "80-year-old judge becomes unlikely internet star". CBS News. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on May 11, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  7. ^ "Viral Judge Frank Caprio Rules With A Big Heart". NBC News. November 7, 2017. Archived from the original on July 27, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  8. ^ "Caught in Providence - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  9. ^ This Judge Had The Best Reaction To This Little Boy's Honesty on YouTube Archived from the original on 3 January 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Judge Frank Caprio Wants Justice for All". February 20, 2019. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  11. ^ "Caprio: Leave the ladder down, so others may follow". independentri.com. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "Providence is home court for TV Judge Frank Caprio '58 & '08Hon". news.providence.edu. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c 1998 Congressional Record, Vol. 144, Page S5244
  14. ^ "The civics lesson and the last chance for a pan handler: Judge Caprio trying a school teacher". You tube (Caught in Providence Channel). You Tube / Caught in Providence. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  15. ^ "A Family of Veterans, Hurricane High Gravity, and Help Yourself" Archived 2021-01-29 at the Wayback Machine. Youtube.com. November 15, 2018.
  16. ^ Bolinger, James. "Compassionate rulings make judge with soft spot for veterans an internet sensation" Archived 2020-08-12 at the Wayback Machine. Stars and Stripes. November 8, 2018.
  17. ^ "Our Campaigns - RI Attorney General Race - Nov 03, 1970". Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Gavigan, Parker (January 13, 2023). "Providence City Council Statement". Providence City Council. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "Judge Frank Caprio announces he will be releasing a book". turntk10.com. June 10, 2024.
  20. ^ Amaral, Brian. "'Caught in Providence' is now courting a national audience". providencejournal.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  21. ^ "Saved by the car clock". YouTube. Caught in Providence. February 7, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  22. ^ Forliti, Amy (July 17, 2002). "Providence crime suspects star in courtroom TV show". Napa Valley Register. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  23. ^ "Caught in Providence Back on ABC 6". New England One. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  24. ^ "Caught in Providence video goes viral on YouTube". abc6.com. WLNE-TV / ABC6. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  25. ^ Dahlgren, Kristen. "Viral Judge Frank Caprio Rules With a Big Heart". NBC News. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  26. ^ "An honest boy". YouTube. Caught in Providence. July 14, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  27. ^ Albiniak, Paige (January 10, 2019). "'Caught in Providence' Cleared to Return for Season Two". NextTV. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "Judge Caprio retiring as chief justice fate of Caught in Providence show unclear". The Providence Journal. January 13, 2023. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "Watch Caught in Providence | Prime Video". Amazon. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "Who is judge Frank Caprio? Top 7 videos that made him an internet sensation". International Business Times, India Edition. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  31. ^ "Task Force Will Boost Numbers Completing Degrees" (PDF). Highlights. No. 1. Rhode Island Office of Higher Education. Winter 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  32. ^ "Caprio: Leave the ladder down, so others may follow". The Independent. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  33. ^ "Commencement 2016: University of Rhode Island to present 5 honorary doctorates this year". University of Rhode Island. URI Today. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  34. ^ "LIVE: Caprio's "Caught in Providence" Begins National Distribution". GoLocalProv. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  35. ^ Bang, Amanda (October 20, 2023). "Providence courtroom renamed in honor of former Chief Judge Frank Caprio". WJAR-TV. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  36. ^ Russo, Amy (October 11, 2023). "Frank Caprio, judge in 'Caught in Providence' is retired. What he does now". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  37. ^ "Judge Caprio to throw out first pitch at Yankees-Red Sox game on Thursday". providencejournal.com. July 23, 2019. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  38. ^ "Judge Caprio announces he has pancreatic cancer". bostonglobe.com. December 6, 2023. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  39. ^ "Judge Caprio announces he has pancreatic cancer in a YouTube video". Judge Caprio YouTube channel. December 6, 2023. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  40. ^ "Judge Frank Caprio rings the bell as he finishes radiation treatment". WJAR. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
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Party political offices
Preceded by
Anthony J. Brosco
 Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Rhode Island
1970 		Succeeded by
Dominic F. Cresto
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