Attorney II (Criminal Assignment) - County Attorney

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.

About the Role

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

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, discussing cases with defense attorneys and Adult Probation Officers, filing court documents and responding to the Judge's questions and requests
Conducts 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 traveling 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

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

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

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)

Employment Testing

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

Additional

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