Description:
Job Summary:Reporting directly to a Lead Attorney or Director, responsible for adult misdemeanor prosecutions from intake through the appeal process. Represents the State on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in applications for protective orders. Screens new cases, makes charging and filing decisions, and represents the State of Texas in all court proceedings (arraignment dockets, announcement dockets, bench trials, jury trials, pretrial hearings, probation revocation hearings and appeals), plea negotiations, evidence review, trial preparation, and witness interviews.
Examples of Work Performed:
- Prepares and conducts contested court hearings to include reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, preparing trial motions, responding to defense motions, preparing trial exhibits, and conducting the hearing (i.e., jury selection, opening statements, witness examination and closing arguments)
- Performs legal research by reading statutes and codes, analytical books, online case research, and specialized practice guides
- Interviews and communicates with victims and witnesses and answers questions regarding the criminal justice system
- Drafts legal documents such as motions, pleadings, orders, plea paperwork, legal memos, search warrants, and administrative documents
- Communicates with county personnel, elected officials, judges, defense attorneys, victims and witnesses of crime, law enforcement agencies, and the general public
- Attends all meetings and trainings, as required
- Performs special duties as assigned
Criminal Assignment
- Ensures responsibilities for announcement and plea dockets to include handling cases in the court room that have been set on the court's docket, discusses cases with defense attorneys and Adult Probation Officers, files court documents and responds to the Judge's questions and requests
- Performs case intake, screens, and follows-up on investigations to include reviewing police reports and evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies
- Drafts investigative requests for additional evidence, makes charging decisions, and files charging instruments
- Conducts plea negotiations and correspondence with defense attorneys to include reviewing evidence, reading criminal histories and police reports, submitting plea offers, negotiating specific terms and conditions, and responding to discovery requests
- Performs hearings during open court for motions to revoke probation, motions to amend bond conditions, and motions to increase bond
- Performs pretrials, announcement dockets, and first appearance dockets
- Represents the State in Justice Peace Courts which includes travelling to Justice Peace Court on a weekly basis to process all criminal cases set for a pre-trial or trial hearing, negotiating with defense attorneys and pro-se defendants, and conducting bench and jury trials
Protective Order Assignment
- Represents the County Attorney's Office on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in applications for protective orders within A Government Entity
- Reviews protective order applications and represent the State in all matters relating to protective orders
- Negotiates on behalf of the victim-applicant with opposing counsel and pro se respondents in order to resolve cases in an effective, timely manner
- Prepares for and represents the State on behalf of victims in contested protective order hearings to include reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, preparing motions, responding to respondent's motions, preparing exhibits, and conducting the actual hearing itself in both County and District Courts
Organization Relationships
- Reports directly to – Lead Attorney or Director
- Direct Reports – No
Physical Demands:
- Position involves prolonged sitting at a workstation, visual examination of documents, reaching, walking, twisting, bending, standing and occasional lifting/carrying
Environmental Factors:
- Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment
- Some travel between work sites as required
Irregular Hours
- Work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be required
- May be deemed essential personnel in the event of an emergency
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school and one (1) year of criminal law experience, including the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and the Texas Rules of Evidence
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, LexisNexis, and Westlaw
Licenses and Certifications:
Required:
- State Bar of Texas
Required within thirty (30) days of employment
- Valid driver's license
Required within six (6) months of employment
- Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) certification
- Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two (2) years of experience as a criminal attorney, preferably with a Criminal District or County Attorney's Office as a prosecutor
- Working knowledge of Odyssey and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS)
