Login | May 07, 2025
Campbell Muni Judge Mark Kolmacic discusses plans for court
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: March 14, 2024
As an elementary student at St. John the Baptist in Campbell, Mark J. Kolmacic carried a briefcase to school, determined to follow in his father Joseph’s footsteps as a lawyer and a judge even at a very young age.
“I was very proud of my father, who was well respected by our neighbors, friends and the community,” Kolmacic said. “I knew even as a child that I wanted to be just like him.”
Today he not only has over 40 years of experience as a lawyer, but he’s now on the Campbell Municipal Court bench.
Judge Kolmacic began his term at the beginning of January after defeating his opponent former Campbell Law Director Brian Macala in last year’s election to succeed retiring Judge Patrick Cunning.
“I am enjoying my time as judge because it allows me to afford some protection to the citizens, and for those who commit crimes due to addiction or a mental health issue I can assist them in getting help,” said Judge Kolmacic.
“I always felt that becoming a judge was part of the natural progression of a lawyer’s career,” he said. “First you practice to gain the skill set you need to sit as a judge.
“My father’s influence has a lot to do with my line of thinking,” said Judge Kolmacic.
In fact his father, attorney Joseph M. Kolmacic served on the Campbell Municipal bench from the court’s inception in 1964 until his retirement in 1994.
“I am very civic-minded as he was and I want to continue my father’s legacy,” said Judge Kolmacic.
Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, who swore in Judge Kolmacic on Dec. 18, 2023, expressed confidence that he will do “a very good job” for the community.
“I knew Mark’s father Joe when he was a Campbell Municipal Court judge and I was a bailiff for Judge Clyde Osborne,” said Judge Krichbaum. “I got my indoctrination into politics when Joe ran against Judge Osborne. Joe did not win but he ran a spirited and ethical campaign, as did Judge Osborne.
“I got to know Mark when he became a lawyer,” said Judge Krichbaum. “We were lawyers together for a while and after I became a judge he practiced before me regularly. We also played golf together and spent time together socially.
“As a lawyer, Mark was competent and dedicated to his clients,” said Judge Krichbaum. “He was punctual and prepared and I think he did a good job.
“He’s a Campbell guy and is very much in tune with the community,” said Judge Krichbaum. “He has been around long enough and done enough that he has the experience and foundation that is needed to be a great judge and that is what I expect he will be.”
Born in Youngstown, Judge Kolmacic grew up in Campbell, Ohio and graduated from Ursuline High School.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in American studies/political science from Bowling Green State University and earned his juris doctor from Capital University Law School in Columbus in 1982.
When he returned to Mahoning County, he started a general law practice, sharing office space in downtown Youngstown with his father and former Struthers Municipal Court Judge Robert Kalafut.
From 2007 to 2011, he was also the law director for the city of Campbell.
Though he is still new to the bench, Judge Kolmacic has already accomplished one of the items on his agenda, revamping and starting a more robust version of the court’s community service program.
To carry out the effort, Judge Kolmacic appointed his bailiff, Bill Valentino as the new director.
“We have about 24 people who are currently doing community service projects,” said Valentino. “The judge wants to focus on the city of Campbell and most of the work involves cleaning up city hall and the courthouse.
“While community service is mandatory for some crimes, many of the participants have opted to join the program as a way to work off their fines, which they are able to do at a rate of $10 an hour,” said Valentino.
“I think it’s a great program and one example of how Judge Kolmacic has stepped up to the plate and is holding people accountable for their actions,” Valentino said.
Although many judges are unveiling specialized dockets to assist defendants diagnosed with mental health issues or substance use disorders, Judge Kolmacic said his approach is a bit different.
“I believe it’s possible to afford an individual the same degree of care without a specialized docket,” said Judge Kolmacic. “Though I have no intention of reinventing the wheel, I am compiling my own approach using what I’ve learned from other judges.
“In this court, most of the civil cases involve credit card debt or landlord/tenant issues,” said Judge Kolmacic. “Bringing the parties together in a court setting often affords them a chance to discuss and settle the matters.
“For traffic offenses such as driving with a suspended license and/or not having insurance, our court-appointed attorneys are well-versed in traffic law and licensing requirements. If an individual does come back with his/her driving privileges reinstated, the court will look favorably on that person.”
Judge Kolmacic is currently working with the court’s website designer Henschen & Associates Inc. to add a new category to the civil docket for speed camera appeals.
“I am paying close attention to the cost because we don’t have a large budget so I have to keep an eye on it,” he said.
“I also plan to move toward electronic filing for civil and criminal cases,” said Judge Kolmacic. “For the most part, it does not exist in Campbell Municipal Court. The clerk can accept scanned, faxed or emailed documents but there is no method by which to file or initiate a case electronically.”
A longtime member of the Mahoning County, Trumbull County and Ohio State bar associations, he currently serves on the parish finance council at Christ the Good Shepherd in Campbell, where he attends services.
He was also a member of the former consolidation panel for Catholic churches in the city of Campbell.
While he has no plans to take on any additional commitments outside of the court, Judge Kolmacic will continue to maintain his law practice.
“My position as judge is part time, so there is no requirement to close my private practice,” he said. “However, I am tapering it back. I don’t plan on maintaining a physical office given that so much of the work is now done remotely, but I am taking on cases.
“I am very excited to serve on the municipal court bench, which is like being on the frontlines,” said Judge Kolmacic. “I see citizens with everyday issues and have the opportunity to try and solve their problems.
“As judge, I will show compassion toward those that I can, but in cases where individuals deserve jail time I will not hesitate to sentence them.”