Christopher C. Sabella is the Chief Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida (Hillsborough County). The chief judge is the administrative head of the circuit, assigning judges to divisions such as criminal, civil, family and probate, setting court policy, and managing the courthouse budget and jury system for Hillsborough County. He is still a sitting circuit judge who hears cases, and he is the point of contact between the local courts and the Florida Supreme Court.
Chief judges are chosen by the circuit’s own judges, not by voters, and serve two-year administrative terms. Sabella’s first term as chief judge began July 1, 2023. COULD NOT CONFIRM the end date of his current chief-judge term from an official source. The chief judge position itself is NOT on the ballot November 3, 2026.
Notes
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit covers Hillsborough County only. Title and July 1, 2023 start date taken directly from his official circuit court profile page.