ADAYintHeLifeof . . . ACirCuitCourtJuDge
Government lawyers Section Chairs : ChristianKatchuk – 13thJudicialCircuit & LyndseySiara – 13thJudicialCircuit
Now that school is back in session , I usually start my day at the courthouse around 8:30 a . m . after dropping off my son at school . Once I ’ m in my office , my judicial assistant will update me on any motions or requests from attorneys that I need to review before court begins . Depending on the issue , I ask my staff attorney to brief me on any updated case law or matters I need to evaluate before taking the bench . I am currently assigned to a trial division , so I almost exclusively preside over trials . While most substantive issues are resolved before the case is transferred to my division , issues often arise during trial that I must address . With jurors waiting , I endeavor to be on the bench by 9:00 a . m . The trials that are transferred to my division are usually first-degree felonies . On average , they take four to five days to try , so it is crucial to stay on schedule .
While I ’ ve been a judge since 2006 , I still consider myself to be a proud government lawyer . I began my career as a legal advisor to the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’ s Office . I then became an Assistant
United States Attorney , and later returned to the Sheriff ’ s Office as deputy chief legal advisor . My time at these government agencies undoubtedly prepared me for my judicial role .
In addition to my personal experience as a government lawyer , the majority of the attorneys that now practice in front of me are either Assistant State Attorneys or Assistant Public Defenders . They truly are the backbone of the criminal justice system . On a daily basis , I rely on them to ensure the fair and expeditious administration of justice .
My typical trial day ends around 5:00 p . m ., but when a jury is deliberating or there is a particularly difficult charge conference to preside over , I may still be in the courtroom or my office well into the evening .
In addition to being a judge , I am also a professor at WMU Cooley Law School and am currently teaching a trial skills class . Many of my students will begin their legal careers in the government sector at either the State Attorney ’ s or Public
itisthehonorofa lifetimetoservethe lawyersandcitizensof ourcommunityasa thirteenthJudicial CircuitCourtjudge .
Defender ’ s offices ; I take great pride in that . I am often talking to them about the importance of professionalism and ethics — especially when it comes to these positions .
As my day comes to a close , I check my emails one final time to verify no issues arose after I adjourned court for the day . I review and sign all the orders pending in my Judicial Automated Workflow System ( JAWS ) queue and email my staff attorney about matters to discuss the next day . While I try to prepare as much as I can the night before , I will inevitably wake up to emails on an urgent matter . But I wouldn ’ t change it for anything ! It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the lawyers and citizens of our community as a Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court judge . n
Author : Judge Christopher C . Sabella – Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Government Attorneys Can Join the HCBA for a Reduced Rate . Go to hillsbar . com to learn more !
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