Judge Frank Caprio during a speech at Sharjah International Communication Forum. Salam Al Amir / The National
Judge Frank Caprio during a speech at Sharjah International Communication Forum. Salam Al Amir / The National
Judge Frank Caprio during a speech at Sharjah International Communication Forum. Salam Al Amir / The National
Judge Frank Caprio during a speech at Sharjah International Communication Forum. Salam Al Amir / The National

'World's nicest judge' Frank Caprio advocates compassion at Sharjah forum


Salam Al Amir
  • English
  • Arabic

A renowned American judge who champions compassion in the courtroom has called on global governments to lead the way in creating a kinder society for all.

Judge Frank Caprio, who presided over a popular courtroom reality TV show in the US for 20 years, said during a visit to Sharjah this week that creating a culture of empathy and understanding among decision-makers was a win-win.

He said his visit to the UAE, where he delivered a speech at the Sharjah International Communication Forum, was motivated by a desire to further promote his message that understanding and compassion can unite human beings.

Mr Caprio retired from his role as Providence Municipal Court's chief judge in January after almost 40 years on the bench.

In a world driven by conflict and division, people yearn for kindness
Judge Frank Caprio

The 86-year-old has been described as the "nicest judge in the world" for his thoughtful approach to dispensing justice – and he feels it is an ideology that can thrive outside the legal world.

"It's a win-win for the government and the public because people are happier when they see that the role of the government is to help them,” he told The National

As for the government he said, “this understanding influences people’s behaviour”.

“In a world driven by conflict and division, people yearn for kindness, something they found in my courtroom and can find here in the UAE.

"To have a good society, we need to have empathy for others and treat everyone the way we want to be treated," he told The National.

Mr Caprio's philosophy chimes with many, as he has more than 500,000 followers on Instagram alone and has built up a loyal audience on his long-running TV show, Caught in Providence, clips of which have gathered hundreds of millions of views online.

'A little compassion can go a long way'

"We profoundly affect people's lives, and we can't forget that one day we will all be judged by the hope we inspire and by the difference we make," he said.

One court ruling that brought him to prominence involved a woman who had parked her car in a no-parking zone, flouting a 6pm to 10pm parking restriction.

“She parked at 9:58pm, just two minutes [early], so I chose to dismiss the case,” he said.

He said this case happened when his court began to be filmed for public access television.

Veteran American judge Frank Caprio shares his philosophies on life in and out of the classroom with The National's Salam Al Amir. Photo: Adam Nofal
Veteran American judge Frank Caprio shares his philosophies on life in and out of the classroom with The National's Salam Al Amir. Photo: Adam Nofal

This decision not only won him recognition but also set a precedent for a more humane approach to the law, attracting attention from the media and the public.

Another case featured a 96-year-old man charged with speeding while driving his son to cancer treatment.

He dismissed the case. “We became friends and celebrated the man’s 100th birthday and his son's recovery.”

"A little compassion can go a long way in helping people solve real-life challenges," he said.

From the classroom to the court

Mr Caprio's career began as a teacher in Providence, Rhode Island.

On the effect of his rulings, he said: "What I do affects people's opinions for the rest of their lives about how the government treats its people."

His approach has reached beyond his courtroom, he told The National.

Courts in other US states have invited him to share his methods, and some even use his videos as teaching tools to instruct other judges on treating people with civility and compassion.

He said that his father, who was disappointed in the first judgment Mr Caprio issued when hr first assumed his role, returned to his court room a proud father.

"I'm proud of you, he said to me, he was happy.”

Among the highlights of his visit to Sharjah was an opportunity to explore the American University in Sharjah.

"I have never seen an educational institution this expansive,” he said.

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

WITHIN%20SAND
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Moe%20Alatawi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Ra%E2%80%99ed%20Alshammari%2C%20Adwa%20Fahd%2C%20Muhand%20Alsaleh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Yabi%20by%20Souqalmal%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMay%202022%2C%20launched%20June%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAmbareen%20Musa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20u%3C%2Fstrong%3Endisclosed%20but%20soon%20to%20be%20announced%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseed%C2%A0%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShuaa%20Capital%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

BELGIUM%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20Thibaut%20Courtois%2C%20Simon%20Mignolet%2C%20Koen%20Casteels%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EDefenders%3A%20Jan%20Vertonghen%2C%20Toby%20Alderweireld%2C%20Leander%20Dendoncker%2C%20Zeno%20Debast%2C%20Arthur%20Theate%2C%20Wout%20Faes%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMidfielders%3A%20Hans%20Vanaken%2C%20Axel%20Witsel%2C%20Youri%20Tielemans%2C%20Amadou%20Onana%2C%20Kevin%20De%20Bruyne%2C%20Yannick%20Carrasco%2C%20Thorgan%20Hazard%2C%20Timothy%20Castagne%2C%20Thomas%20Meunier%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EForwards%3A%20Romelu%20Lukaku%2C%20Michy%20Batshuayi%2C%20Lo%C3%AFs%20Openda%2C%20Charles%20De%20Ketelaere%2C%20Eden%20Hazard%2C%20Jeremy%20Doku%2C%20Dries%20Mertens%2C%20Leandro%20Trossard%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SERIE A FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm) 
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)

Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

While you're here
RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Fernando Jara (jockey), Irfan Ellahi (trainer).

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,400m​​​​​​​
Winner: Yaalail, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m​​​​​​​
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Fernando Jara, Helal Al Alawi.

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2.200m
​​​​​​​Winner: Ezz Al Rawasi, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.

Updated: September 14, 2023, 12:38 PM