Attorney I - Criminal

Responsibilities

• Prosecutes misdemeanor crimes committed by adults and juveniles, including jury and non-jury trials.
• Handles assigned cases from in-take through appeal.
• Plans casework, conducts arraignment proceedings, reviews physical evidence, interviews witnesses, prepares trial exhibits, files motions and briefs, negotiates pleas, selects juries, drafts jury arguments for verdicts and sentences, and tries cases.
• Evaluates cases for filing by reviewing police incident and investigative reports, examining physical evidence and crime scenes, interviewing witnesses, surveying criminal histories, directing additional investigation when necessary, and drafting charging instruments.
• Handles appeals by reviewing legal issues, conducting legal research, reviewing court transcripts, preparing briefs, and presenting oral arguments in appellate courts.
• Counsels and discusses cases with probation officers, law enforcement officials, victims, and witnesses.
• Responds to citizen inquiries regarding legal issues and current cases.
• Ensures that trial and other legal deadlines are met.
• Handles all necessary pre-trial matters including plea-bargain/sentencing negotiations and evidentiary/suppression hearings.
• Prepares cases for trial by issuing subpoenas, preparing witnesses, manufacturing trial exhibits, filing all necessary motions and notices, and generating trial strategies.
• Tries both jury and court-trial cases by selecting jury panels, presenting evidence, cross-examining opposing witnesses, and making legal arguments.
• Represents the State in involuntary civil commitment proceedings.
• Covers juvenile detention hearings, protective order matters, and Justice of the Peace proceedings when necessary.
• Represents the state in magistration hearings, hearings relating to emergency protective orders, and examining trials.
• Attends and participates in law enforcement TLETS training and annual continuing legal education as required by the State of Texas.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• License to practice law in the State of Texas.
• Valid Texas driver’s license.

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Part-time employees who work less than 30 hours per week over the course of a year, receive some benefits on a pro-rated basis. To learn more details, visit our benefits page.