Retired Rhode Island Chief Judge Frank Caprio, who gained fame as a mild-mannered dispenser of justice on the internet, will be the commencement speaker at Providence College this year, the school announced Wednesday.  

Caprio, 88, served for 38 years in the Providence Municipal Court where his public profile rose from starring in the Emmy-nominated “Caught in Providence,” which began airing locally in 2000. The series featured Caprio ruling on cases like traffic or parking violations in a gentle way.