Judge Christopher C. Sabella: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

13th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Department Room 516, Courtroom 52A

Appointed By: Gov. John E. Bush

Biography

Hon. Christopher C. Sabella is a judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Hillsborough County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jeb Bush in 2006.


Sabella has held assignments in the Civil; Family; Criminal Justice and Trial; and Probate, Guardianship, and Trust Divisions.


Prior to joining the bench, he was the deputy chief legal adviser to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He rejoined the Sheriff’s Office after serving as an assistant United States attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office. During his first stint with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, he was its legal adviser for twelve years.


He attended Florida State University, where he received a B.A. in psychology in 1989. Sabella went on to complete a J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1992.


Sabella was named Tampa Bay’s Top Lawyer in Law Enforcement by Tampa Bay Magazine in 2010.


His memberships have included the Herbert G. Goldburg, Criminal Inn of Court, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, and the Florida Bar Association. Sabella has also taught trial skills at Western Michigan University, Cooley Law School, and he has was an instructor at St. Petersburg College.

Recent Cases by Hon. Christopher C. Sabella

On May 2, 2026 a sc debt owed-tier 5 $5,000.01-$8,000.00 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

May 02, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

SC Debt Owed-Tier 5 $5,000.01-$8,000.00

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Consumer Debt

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 23, 2026

On November 3, 2025 a cc breach of contract $8,000.01 to $15,000.00 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

11 Files
Filed

Nov 03, 2025

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

CC Breach of Contract $8,000.01 to $15,000.00

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 16, 2026

On November 20, 2023 an administrative file case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

1 File
Filed

Nov 20, 2023

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Administrative File

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

General Administrative

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 21, 2023

On May 29, 2012 a mortgage foreclosure - homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

May 29, 2012

Status

Settlement

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - Homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

May 12, 2016

On April 18, 2012 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Apr 18, 2012

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 01, 2016

On March 23, 2012 a mortgage foreclosure - nonhomestead -2- $50,000 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Mar 23, 2012

Status

Judgment of Foreclosure

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - NonHomestead -2- $50,000 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2018

On February 27, 2012 a mortgage foreclosure - homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Feb 27, 2012

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - Homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 18, 2017

On January 6, 2012 a mortgage foreclosure - homestead -3- $250,000 or more case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Jan 06, 2012

Status

Settlement

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - Homestead -3- $250,000 or More

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 29, 2017

On December 21, 2011 an appeal final order case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Dec 21, 2011

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Appeal Final Order

Practice Area

Appeals

Matter Type

General Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 28, 2016

On December 6, 2011 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Dec 06, 2011

Status

Dismissal

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2013

On September 8, 2011 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Sep 08, 2011

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 12, 2016

On August 25, 2011 an auto negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Aug 25, 2011

Status

Dismissal

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Auto Negligence

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 19, 2014

On August 10, 2011 a mortgage foreclosure - nonhomestead -2- $50,000 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Aug 10, 2011

Status

Judgment of Foreclosure

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - NonHomestead -2- $50,000 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 25, 2013

On July 26, 2011 a mortgage foreclosure - homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Jul 26, 2011

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - Homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 13, 2014

On June 27, 2011 a mortgage foreclosure - nonhomestead -3- $250,000 or more case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Jun 27, 2011

Status

Default Judgment

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - NonHomestead -3- $250,000 or More

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2019

On April 14, 2011 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Apr 14, 2011

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 07, 2021

On April 6, 2011 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Apr 06, 2011

Status

Dismissal

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 06, 2012

On February 22, 2011 a professional malpractice medical case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Feb 22, 2011

Status

Dismissal

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Professional Malpractice Medical

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Malpractice

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2012

On February 21, 2011 real property -1- $50,000 or less case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Feb 21, 2011

Status

Dismissal

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Real Property -1- $50,000 or Less

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

General Property

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2019

On January 18, 2011 a mortgage foreclosure - homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Jan 18, 2011

Status

Dismissal

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - Homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 12, 2019

On October 28, 2010 an auto negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Oct 28, 2010

Status

Dismissal

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Auto Negligence

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

May 22, 2013

On September 7, 2010 a mortgage foreclosure - homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Sep 07, 2010

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - Homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 23, 2017

On August 26, 2010 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Aug 26, 2010

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 17, 2014

On June 30, 2010 a mortgage foreclosure - homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hillsborough County. Judge Christopher C. Sabella presiding.

Filed

Jun 30, 2010

Status

Active

Court

Hillsborough County

County

Hillsborough County, FL

Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure - Homestead -2- $50,001 - $249,999

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 12, 2016