By Sylvester Asoya
Every country needs a Frank Caprio, the American judge with a heart of gold, known globally for his compassion. This popular American jurist and politician who currently serves as the Chief Municipal Judge in Providence, Rhode Island, is a rare gift to the world. In many ways, this unusual legal expert is ‘rebelling’ against acceptable norms and bringing hope to humanity with his sympathetic and moral judgements.
If tension, suspicion, apprehension and emotion are the hallmarks of an average courtroom everywhere, then Caprio should be commended for healing the world in a special way. In his court, this kind-hearted judge uses the power of compassion like nobody in the world.
Caprio’s courtroom is a fascinating, safe, warm and friendly judicial environment that gives hope, faith and courage. That is why offenders and even the court audience, look forward to meeting this exceptional judge for that moment that brings life-changing experiences and lessons.
Indeed, the conviviality in his court is beyond measure.
One of the interesting things about Caprio’s court is that it is a special court for people who commit traffic and related offences. So, those who pay frequent visits to his court are reckless drivers and others who disobey traffic lights, parking regulations or disregard road signs. The judge also entertains cases of disorderly conduct, especially public behaviour that infringes on other people’s rights in a public space.
Yet, the judge’s verdicts are far-reaching and life-changing, and this is already of great interest to many people across the world.
Caught in Providence, a popular website that showcases inspiring close-up episodes directly from Caprio’s special court, offers information on this remarkable judge, his human-centered legal proceedings and how he is changing our common world with his judgement.
Beyond the dominant human side of this rare judge who openly supports fair trial and compassion, there is also the other side of his benevolence. Periodically, Caprio provides cash relief to people who appear before him, and this happens often.
As a matter of fact, any time he is convinced that an offender needs financial assistance, he goes ahead to give cash gifts or any incentive that could help. He does this with donations from charitable organizations and kind-hearted Americans who have chosen to brighten up the lives of their fellow country men and women with their contributions. Today, many people around the world are happy that this judge’s reputation for kindness is fast becoming a legend as he continues to attract attention and viewership. In 2017 alone, this programme that is syndicated all over America, received over 15 million views. Two years ago, Caught in Providence got over 300 million views and there are no signs of letting up yet.
One thing is undeniable, Caprio is a great judge who is very good at what he does. He has a good grasp of nearly every issue before him, and his lively sense of humour keeps the court cheerful, always. Usually, he promotes compassion, love, family life, relationships, patriotism, integration, hard work, good conduct and self-actualization. And in his court, there is never a dull moment.
Bringing children of offenders up-stage in what looks like a jury, is a distinctive feature of Caprio’s extraordinary court. And this is the real-life drama. Most people have described this segment as the most exciting part of that courtroom experience because of the additional humour and intimacy that it brings. This part usually begins when the judge asks any little child who accompanies the offender to come to him and help pronounce sentence on the parent or guardian.
Caprio loves kids, no doubt, and it is obvious that he understands them. “I believe that one of the most important jobs for parents is to teach their children social skills: a solid eye contact, a firm handshake and an engaging smile will open more doors than swagger. Helping your children with social skills should be the priority for every parent”, he counsels. However, it is also important to note that at the end of each court sitting, everyone disperses on a very happy note with smiles because of the judge’s customary demystification of judicial processes.
But why is Caprio eliminating and demystifying some traditional courtroom values and features?
He explains: “A courtroom is an intimidating experience to most people, particularly youngsters. A judge in a robe and a police officer with a gun, is frightening to some people. I just love bringing the kids up. When they leave the courtroom after my judgement, their opinions of the systems of government are that the systems are fair”.
This appears to be the reason every child is a hero in his court.
One classic case that remains truly memorable, involved a divorced couple, David Chalmers and Joan Pearson. Ironically, the traffic offence that brought the separated couple to Caprio’s court was committed on a day Joan, the generous, forgiving and caring former wife of David, borrowed her car to her ex-husband who had an appointment at the veteran’s hospital. David who had served his country diligently in the US Navy, claimed during cross-examination, that he survived four different wars in Africa in his younger days. According to him, he was an actor in the Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s. He was also at different times in Africa’s other conflict hotspots like Ivory Coast, Angola, Ghana and Mozambique.
In his usual dramatic but kindly and humane disposition, the judge reacted like this: “I’m not sure what is more impressive; the fact that David survived four African wars or that his ex-wife borrowed him her car. As a lawyer, I was often exposed to the ugly side of divorce. I salute any couple that can survive the emotionally draining process and still remains friends. Joan and David, if you decide to get re-married, I am available to perform the service”.
In another stimulating video clip, Caprio re-unites with Lizzie Young, an old family friend in another dramatic episode. The judge who officiated at one of Lizzie’s grand son’s wedding many years ago, commended the woman and the entire Young family for their contributions to the city and the state. He later told the court about how one of her sons, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty. But the heroic exploits in the Young family did not end with their fallen hero; Caprio added that another of Lizzie’s son, a Major, also served in the Province City Department. “Everybody in your family has distinguished him or herself, doing such great things”.
Caprio later called her up-stage and gave her a hug. “I want to thank you on behalf of everyone in the city and state for all that your family has gone through, and what your family has done for this place. We appreciate”.
But there are even more interesting courtroom stories like the one involving Emily Perez who came to Caprio’s court on account of speeding on her wedding day. Like any bride on her wedding day, social anxiety or nervousness, is usually a natural feeling on such an important day and this, naturally guided Caprio’s decision. So, when Emily provided proof (her marriage certificate) which precisely coincided with the date of the traffic offence, the judge turned to Inspector Quinn, his able police orderly, for interpretation and possible clemency. “Inspector Quinn, are you going to make a recommendation as a prosecuting inspector that Emily begins her married life in such a manner that she is in court and found guilty?”.
The inspector who also shares the same day (May 25) as his wedding anniversary, became emotional as he recalled a personal experience on his own wedding day 37 years earlier. Quinn congratulated the newlywed and said: “Your Honour, I can understand her not being of sound mind and body on that day”. Caprio and Quinn eventually gave a belated birthday gift to Emily after dismissing the case.
Mohammed Bilau, a polyglot and Syrian immigrant who is already living the American Dream, provides another thought-provoking encounter. The Syrian who pleaded guilty after his arraignment, however thanked the judge for the opportunities America offers, particularly to immigrants like him. Caprio, who is also a son of an immigrant, used the occasion to speak on the fact that the success of the country came largely from the efforts of immigrants like Bilau and others. The Syrian later pledged to remain in America after his graduate studies as a way of paying back and contributing to a system that provides opportunities to all, irrespective of race or religion. This impressed the judge who encouraged him to live his life to the fullest while in America. Caprio later reiterated his earlier position about how the foundation of America is directly connected with immigrants, and prayed for the Syrian. Eventually, he dismissed his case on the grounds of the immigrant’s good example.
In one of his post-sitting video appearances, this uncommon judge acknowledges the fact that some people actually come to his court for other reasons outside traffic offences and related crimes. “Oftentimes, there are persons who come here because they want to talk to someone”.
For those who follow Caprio’s extraordinary court, this therapeutic element is always present and very heavy sometimes.
Occasionally in Caprio’s court, emotions also run very high. This happened the day a 96-year-old man charged with a school zone violation, appeared before the judge. “I don’t drive fast, I am 96 years old, and I drive slowly when I have to drive”.
But this 96-year-old American who was taking his 63-year-old son, a cancer patient, to the hospital, received kind words and encouragement from Caprio for his dedication to his family. “You are a good man. I wish you all the best and I wish the best for your son. I also wish you good health. This case is dismissed. Here you are in your 90s, and you are still taking care of your family”.
In another moment of compassion and professional brilliance, Caprio brought Marisa, his only daughter up-stage and sought her legal opinion in a case involving a struggling young woman. “I never do this, I never hug girls that come up here but this is my only daughter, she is very special”. In the end, Marisa dismissed the case on the grounds of compassion and this immediately elicited a response from everyone in the audience. Shortly after, Inspector Quinn asked her: “Where did you get that kind of sensitivity from?”. Marisa replied by saying that “the apple does not fall far from the tree”. Everyone knew and agreed on the person who drives this sensitivity vehicle after Marisa’s deeply touching response.
In the Caprio family, compassion runs very deep. The judge who once described his mother on her birthday as the best and kindest of mothers, fully appreciates the family’s spirit of generosity.
His father, an immigrant from Italy, used to deliver milk to many families, including an Italian family that still remembers the Caprios. One day, a traffic offender in his court shocked everyone when she revealed the nickname of the judge’s father. The older Caprio who sold milk, was called Tup a Toffee by those who came in contact with him.
The judge who became very emotional on being reminded of his father’s profession and byname, took a trip down memory lane. He told the court how that nickname came about, the noble personality behind the name and name’s symbolic meaning. The judge recalled how much his father was loved for his generosity in the different neighbourhoods where he supplied milk and fruits. He revealed that at a point in his father’s career as a salesman, his company instructed him to stop supplying milk to families that did not pay after a supply of two weeks. But his father disobeyed his company because of his inherent sense of compassion, particularly toward children. According to the judge, his father took a position after that instruction and resolved to keep supplying milk to some of his clients regardless of their low income and social status. He would deliver milk to every family if there were kids in the house, he never stopped even when his decision threatened his job. And from time to time, Caprio says this in his court: “Every judgment I make on the bench is a reflection of the values I learnt from my father. His kindness, his compassion, his humour, his common sense”.
Frank Caprio who is a shining example and a gift to his generation, is making a lasting impact on the world by engendering hope and changing lives in America. The moral of this unusual court and judge, particularly for Nigeria and other less industrially developed countries is that they must take a second look at crime and punishment because time is running out.
• Asoya wrote from Lagos.