02/28/2023
Congratulations to the Honorable Judge Christopher Sabella, elected today by his colleagues as the next Chief Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Chief Judge-Elect Sabella becomes the 14th judge to hold the position of Chief Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which serves nearly 1.5 million residents in Hillsborough County.
With a two-year term that begins on July 1, 2023, Judge Sabella follows current Chief Judge Ronald N. Ficarrotta who has served as Chief Judge since January of 2015. By statute, a judge is only allowed to serve as chief judge for a maximum of eight years.
“It is the greatest honor of my judicial career to be selected as the Chief Judge at the best circuit in the State of Florida,” said Judge Sabella. “I am proud of my involvement with Florida Law Schools and my service as a mentor to law students and I will continue to do so through my term as Chief Judge.”
As Chief Judge, Sabella will serve as the administrative officer of the court, working closely with the Trial Court Administrator, Gina Justice, to direct, develop and implement local policy, procedure as well as the priorities for the circuit. The Chief Judge is also responsible for overseeing the assignment of 68 judges to divisions, and represents the judiciary at both the local and state level on a number of committees and workgroups.
Sabella was appointed a Circuit Court judge in 2006 by Governor Jeb Bush. Judge Sabella has presided in Unified Family Court and Domestic Relations/Family Law. He currently presides over the Thirteenth Circuit’s Criminal Justice & Trial Division 2.
Before being appointed to the bench, served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida prior to becoming Deputy Chief Legal Advisor to the Hillsborough County Sheriff.
Sabella, a Tampa native, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida State University in 1989, and received his Juris Doctor from John B. Stetson College of Law in 1992.
Looking ahead, Chief Judge-elect Sabella says, “I look forward to making the courts more efficient and more accessible to the citizens of Hillsborough County, especially through the use of emerging technology.”