Judges in Felony Cases in Hillsborough County

The jurisdiction of the felony division of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, FL, includes felonies and all misdemeanors arising out of the same circumstances as a felony. Sixteen (16) judges are assigned to the felony division of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which includes three (3) judges in trial divisions. The felony division also includes judges in Circuit Court in specialized divisions for:

• Drug Court;
• Post Conviction Relief; and
• Violation of Probation.

The specialized division for Sex and Child Abuse Offenses was previously dissolved before those cases were reassigned randomly to the other judges in the felony division.

Within 24 hours after an arrest for a felony, the person taken into custody who does not immediately post bond will attend first appearance hearings at the courthouse in Tampa, FL, also known as preliminary proceedings (PP) court. Cases involving juveniles being charged with a crime are heard in the Juvenile Delinquency Division.

While felony cases are handled by Circuit Court Judges, misdemeanors and local ordinance violations are decided by county court judges in Hillsborough County.

Attorneys for Felony Cases in Tampa, FL

If you are charged with a felony criminal offense in Tampa, FL, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm.

Our attorneys represent clients charged with a wide range of criminal offenses including serious felony cases and violations of probation or community control in the Circuit Courts in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, FL.

At Sammis Law Firm, our four attorneys pay particular attention to the procedures used in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. This article explains how you can find more information about the Circuit Court Judges in the Criminal Division at the courthouse in Tampa, FL.

Let us put our experience to work for you. Call 813-250-0500.

Felony Judges for Circuit Court in Hillsborough County, FL

From time to time, the judges are moved to different divisions according to administrative orders issued by the chief judge. The current assignments are explained in Administrative Order A-2024-045, which took effect on June 1, 2024. Those judicial assignments in Circuit Court in Hillsborough County, FL, include:

In Hillsborough County, FL, all county court judges assigned to circuit court divisions are temporarily appointed as acting circuit court judges. All circuit court judges assigned to county court divisions are temporarily appointed as acting county court judges. Cases decided by judges in a circuit criminal division include any crimes against a person or property that are classified as a felony, including:

• capital murder;
• noncapital murder;
• sexual offenses;
• drugs;
• robbery;
• burglary;
• forgery;
• fraud; and
• worthless checks.

This article was last updated on Friday, July 26, 2024.