YOUNGSTOWN — The longest-serving common pleas court judge in Mahoning County’s history is retiring next year, and three local attorneys will vie for the seat.

Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, a Republican who is also the longest-serving elected official in the county, came to the bench in 1991. Ohio law prohibits the 73-year-old Krichbaum from seeking reelection.

Austintown Township Administrator Mark D’Apolito is the lone Democratic candidate for Krichbaum’s bench, and two Republicans will face off in the May 5 primary election to see who challenges him in November.

EDWARD CZOPUR

Edward Czopur has worked for the Portage County Public Defender’s Office and in private practice since February 2025. Before that, he spent just over three years as a Mahoning County assistant prosecutor. For at least part of that stretch, Czopur handled most of the cases that came through the Boardman area court. He was also an associate attorney at DeGenova & Yarwood from 2008 to 2021.

The Cardinal Mooney graduate obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Youngstown State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Akron.

Czopur’s platform as a candidate focuses largely on a standard interpretation of the written Ohio Revised Code and on expanding funding for specialty dockets, like Judge John Durkin’s drug court, for example.

Czopur, 45, said that as both a prosecutor and defense attorney over the past 17 years, he has gained a robust understanding of criminal law that gives him a perspective other judges may not bring to the bench. However, he will not let that lead him astray in applying the law, he said.

“My experience has also exposed me to a number of judges, some more activist in nature than others. The law must be firmly applied as written,” he said. “As judge, I will enforce the laws written by those tasked with writing the law and not attempt to legislate from the bench.”

Czopur said he will use the court’s resources fairly to help those defendants who clearly need a helping hand more than a firm one.

“Specialty dockets are essential for low-level nonviolent offenders who want rehabilitation and to re-engage society in a meaningful way,” he said. “Further funding would allow these programs to better provide meaningful services. When elected I will attempt to secure additional grants and funding for the court’s various specialty dockets so that the current programs can operate at an even higher level.”

ROSS T. SMITH

Ross T. Smith, 52, has served as Krichbaum’s magistrate since January. Before that, he was a magistrate and supervising attorney in the public defender’s office, He also served as an assistant prosecutor under former Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains from 2006 to 2022.

Smith obtained a bachelor’s degree in arts and a master’s degree in science from Florida State University before earning his juris doctorate at Western Michigan University.

Smith said he believes in maintaining an efficient courtroom, which he feels Krichbaum has run.

“One of my primary goals as judge will be to ensure that cases continue to move through the court system in a timely and organized manner while still giving every party a fair opportunity to be heard,” he said. “I will accomplish this by continuing to implement strong docket management practices, holding regular hearings and case management conferences, and setting clear expectations for deadlines and motion practice.”

Smith makes a similar argument to Czopur in that his experience on both sides of criminal law gives him a unique perspective on its application. He said he too favors implementation of ORC as written because consistency is what serves the community best.

“I understand the concerns of victims seeking protection and justice, defendants seeking a fair hearing, and families whose lives are affected by court decisions,” he said. “As judge, I will carefully review the facts, apply the law as written, and issue decisions grounded in Ohio law and precedent. Consistency and transparency in judicial decision-making help ensure that similar cases are treated similarly and that the rule of law remains the guiding principle.”

Smith said professionalism and clarity also matter for those purposes, as well as building and maintaining trust in the court system.

“This means clearly explaining court procedures, maintaining a respectful environment for all participants, and issuing decisions that are thorough and understandable,” Smith said. “I will also support community outreach and educational efforts that help residents better understand how the court system works and why public safety and the rule of law matter.”

Krichbaum will step down on Feb. 8, 2027, and his elected successor will assume the bench the next day for a six-year term.