F R O M T H E C L E R K O F C O U R T & C O M P T R O L L E R V i c t o r D. C r i s t –
H i l l s b o r o u g h C o u n t y C l e r k o f C o u r t & C o m p t r o l l e r
expediting Justice by fully Staffing Our courtrooms
all of our Judges now have access to skilled courtroom clerks to help reduce backlogs and manage caseloads more efficiently.
By January 1, 2026, all courtrooms will have full access to skilled Courtroom Deputy Clerks. Previously, judges in Family Law and Circuit Civil divisions had no courtroom clerks to support them. Not only have we significantly increased the total cadre of courtroom clerks, but we have also developed and instituted a new-hire training and staff retraining program that elevates this essential role and increases the accountability of deputized clerks serving across all divisions.
This positive change has already expedited workflows and prevented delays; in addition, it has also saved Hillsborough County taxpayers’ dollars. Our expectation is that clerk productivity will accelerate as new clerks gain experience and existing clerks complete updated training.
The complexity of a Deputy Clerk’ s role is profound, blending detailed procedural knowledge, a high level of communication skill, and a deep understanding of the responsibility inherent in keeping the public trust.
“ The Clerk’ s Office plays an essential role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our courts. Their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to public service make it possible for the judiciary to carry out its mission of delivering fair and timely justice,” said Chief Judge Christopher Sabella, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. He added,“ I want to express my deep appreciation for the Clerk and his entire team for their continued partnership and unwavering support of the judicial branch.”
Courtroom Deputy Clerks comprise the essential conduit through which all communication flows in our courtrooms. They coordinate with judges to prepare dockets for arraignments, pre-disposition hearings, and trials; in addition, they log trial evidence and record judgments. They also anticipate issues or challenges that may occur while the docket is underway and assist the judge on the bench. Clerks check and recheck filings to
ensure accuracy. They also issue and recall capiases, communicating with the Sheriff’ s Office, which is a high impact responsibility.
You will notice our courtroom clerks are now wearing blue uniform blazers bearing the Clerk of Court’ s seal embroidered with the motto“ Excellence in Service.” Their increased recognizability signals their augmented accountability. Our newly established Training Department delivers five to six weeks of dedicated classroom training and four to six months of mentored on-the-job training to new hires.
Our courtroom support initiative is just one outcome of our systematic and comprehensive review of the health, performance, and direction of our organization. We examined all functions and procedures across all departments by conducting interviews with every employee. Insights gained from this process helped us to identify and understand opportunities for restructuring the office. I would like to emphasize that these changes were made in the unique spirit of collaboration that has historically existed between Thirteenth Judicial Circuit partners, including judges, prosecutors, and public defenders, and which continues to ensure that we all work together seamlessly. n
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