JUDGE J. MARK COSTINE announced his retirement effective May 7. He will conclude more than 39 years of public service.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — After taking a leave of absence since late February, Belmont County Judge J. Mark Costine has announced his retirement from the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Division, effective May 7.

Costine took a leave of absence because of ongoing health issues. He has since decided to retire to focus on his family and health after more than 39 years in public service.

Costine began his term as the Probate and Juvenile Judge on Dec. 24, 1998. He was previously a practicing attorney in The Costine Law Firm from 1979-98, and was a Belmont County assistant public defender from 1979-98.

âMy service to the community and to the court has been a pleasure,ã he said.

His work on the bench included the creation and enhancement of several programs to support youth and families in Belmont County, including adding the Virtual Learning Classroom at the Belmont County Alternative School to assist youth in credit recovery and graduation; creating the Substance Abuse Intervention Docket as a diversion program for first time drug and alcohol offenders; the establishment of the Family Dependency Treatment Court for drug addicted parents working with the Belmont County Children Services; the Intake and Diversion Program for first time juvenile offenders; the Juvenile Court Mock Trial Program, which provides educational programming in schools throughout the county; and the Truancy Program offering diversion programming, including Parent Intervention Meetings to promote school attendance.

âWe did a lot of things through the probate court,ã said Costine. âWe digitized all the records, put them on computer, backed them up in a place in Texas. All the records from 1803 until now. We have, of course, the paper records stored down at Oak View.ã

Costine also said he did a lot of work in the juvenile court.

âWeáve done great in establishing programs and doing things for the betterment of the community,ã said the judge who also said the juveniles who go through the program have help, mentors and resources available. âI attribute that to the dedication of our staff and the people working with juveniles going through that process.ã

Costine also commented on the changing situation in caseloads since he took the bench.

âI donát think the atmosphere for families or crime, especially for juveniles, has changed a bit,ã he said. âI think itás probably become worse over that period of time. I think our court has done a very good job of handling those situations. I have to give a lot of respect to our staff.ã

Costine also has served as the lead judge for the Oakview Juvenile Rehabilitation Center and has been on the Board of the Belmont Harrison Juvenile District. He is a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Costine also has been the past president of St. Clairsville Rotary, past president of the St. Clairsville Jaycees, former chairman of the Administrative Board of Thoburn United Methodist Church, former chairman of St. Clairsville Board of Zoning Appeals, former chairman of the St. Clairsville Civil Service Commission, former hearing officer for the Belmont County Fair Housing Commission, past president of Belmont Hills Country Club and past president of Belmont County Bar Association.

He is married to the former Brenda Edler. Together, they have three children.

After almost 20 years on the bench, Costine said he would like to thank the residents of Belmont County for their support and his dedicated staff.

Since Costineás leave of absence in February, the Ohio Supreme Court assigned retired Judge David Stucki of Stark County, to preside over the probate and juvenile courts. This will remain the case until the governor appoints a new judge to the bench.

Belmont County Republican Party Chairman Chris Gagin said the party will recommend up to three candidates. One will be selected to complete Costineás six-year term, which ends Feb. 8, 2021.

âThe Belmont County Republican Party, in conjunction with the governorás office, will ask for interested candidates to submit their information,ã said Gagin. âOur executive committee will select up to three names to submit to the governorás office.ã

Gagin said the process would take about six months before a new judge officially takes the bench. The party likely will begin soliciting for candidates in 30 to 45 days.

He said he wishes Costine his best.

âThe Belmont County Republican Party is saddened to see the end of an era, but we all join Belmont County in congratulations to J. Mark Costine on a distinguished career and we wish him good luck and good health in retirement,ã he said. âI, as a lawyer, appeared before him many times. Heás a very honorable, very compassionate but firm judge. He was a pleasure to practice in front of.ã