Attorney I - County Attorney

About the role

Reporting directly to a Lead Prosecutor, responsible for adult misdemeanor case intake and screening. Represents the state in Justice of the Peace and County Court at Law proceedings. Makes charging decisions, handles Pretrial Intervention Program contract reviews, and conducts legal research.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Drafts charging instruments
• Performs legal research by reading statutes and codes, analytical books, online case research, and specialized practice guides
• Drafts legal documents such as motions, memoranda, and briefs
• Represents the State in Justice of the Peace Courts which includes travelling to various precincts on a weekly basis to process all criminal cases set for pretrial dockets or contested hearings, negotiates with defense attorneys and pro-se defendants, and represents the State in bench and jury trials
• Represents the State in County Courts at Law, ensuring cases have been appropriately prepared for each docket, working towards resolving the cases while in court, discussing plea options and other case needs with defense attorneys, working alongside probation officers, filing any necessary court documents, and providing information to the Court upon request
• Prepares for and represents the State in 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)
• Reviews evidence, criminal histories, police reports, and other relevant information, and assists in the handling of discovery requests
• Interviews and communicates with victims and witnesses, and answers questions regarding the criminal justice system
• Represents the State in truancy litigation, to include screening cases and representing the State in Truancy Court hearings
• Communicates with county personnel, elected officials, judges, defense attorneys, victims and witnesses of crime, law enforcement agencies, and the general public on behalf of the County Attorney’s Office
• Attends all meetings and trainings, as required
• Performs special duties as assigned

Requirements

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school
• Prior experience with legal research, negotiation skills, and criminal law
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, LexisNexis, Westlaw, and E-file

Qualifications

• Preferred: Working knowledge of Odyssey and JabberMoot Court experience, Trial Practice experience, Texas Rules of Evidence, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Texas Penal Code

Skills

• Legal research
• Negotiation skills
• Criminal law

Benefits

Not specified

Pay

Not specified

Schedule

Not specified

Organization Relationships

• Reports directly to – Lead Prosecutor
• 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
• Position involves occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty (50) pounds and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects

Environmental Factors

• Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment
• Regular travel between work sites as required
• High stress, pressure of deadlines and case management under limited time constraints
• Interaction with persons accused or convicted of crimes
• Irregular hours (work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be required)

Employment Testing

• Criminal background check: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes
• Drug screening: No
• Physical exam: No
• Pychological exam: No

Additional

• N/A

Supplemental Information

• A Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed.
• Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) calendar days.
• The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone (512) 943-1533 or visit our website at www.wilcotx.gov/469/Human-Resources.
• Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
• If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.
• To review our benefit options and associated costs, click here to visit our interactive benefits cost estimator.
• The County also provides retirement benefits. Full-time & part-time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation).
• In addition to these basic employee benefits and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays.