April 10, 2025
Judge Frank Caprio, J.D. ’58, ’08Hon.
Providence Municipal Court Judge, Retired
2025 Commencement Speaker
Judge Frank Caprio, J.D. ’58, ’08Hon. is the son of immigrants who, through hard work, devotion to family, and love of their new country and community, sought and found a new life in America. They instilled a sense of responsibility and commitment to service and education in their three sons.
Judge Caprio attended Providence public schools and was an all-state wrestler at Central High School, later inducted into the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame. At Providence College, he studied political science and worked three jobs to finance his education. He began his professional career teaching American government at Hope High School. While teaching, coaching the wrestling team, and starting a family, he attended the night program at Suffolk University School of Law. He began his distinguished legal career in 1965 and eventually established his own firm, Caprio & Caprio.
Judge Caprio served as a Providence Municipal Court judge for 38 years. His courtroom achieved worldwide fame due to the four-time Emmy nominated show “Caught in Providence,” syndicated nationally over 200 stations across America and viewed billions of times on social media. He is an international internet superstar with more than 26 million followers. Because of his compassionate temperament, he is known as “the nicest judge in the world.”
Judge Caprio became a published author in February 2025 at age 88 with his bestselling memoir, Compassion in the Court, featuring “lifechanging stories from America’s nicest judge.”
For 10 years, he was chair of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, the governing body for the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and Community College of Rhode Island. He received an honorary doctor of law degree from Suffolk Law in 1991, an honorary doctor of public service from URI in 2016, and an honorary doctor of civil law from PC in 2008. He has founded scholarships at all three institutions. An active real estate investor, he is a partner in the landmark Coast Guard House restaurant in Narragansett.
Judge Caprio and his wife, Joyce Caprio, have been married for more than 60 years. They have five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
