Position Details: Felony Attorney

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Performs legal work necessary to effectively represent Aransas County, primarily in felony matters. Handles misdemeanor and civil matters as necessary.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: County Attorney and First Assistant.
Directs: Directs paralegals, legal assistants, and admin assistants, may provide oversight or direction to other attorneys as assigned.
Other: Frequent communication with outside agencies and County officials, including the Commissioners Court, the County’s department heads, the Sheriff’s Office and other elected officials, County employees, attorneys, opposing attorneys, the County Attorney and other personnel.

Essential Duties

• Presents cases to grand jury
• Attends docket calls, conducts plea bargain negotiations, and competently represents the State of Texas in jury and non-jury trials
• Drafts legal documents and completes paperwork which may include motions, orders, petitions, answers, interrogatories, requests for admissions, subpoenas, briefs, judgments, complaints, indictments, charging instruments, plea agreements, and more
• Maintains up to date knowledge of the law, promptly makes decisions, is consistently well prepared, and maintains a professional demeanor
• Provides expert legal advice to staff and law enforcement
• Exhibits extremely high integrity, demonstrates proper respect to the courts at all times, and maintains confidentiality at all times
• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Criminal Justice and Legal System – knowledge of legal terminology, criminal proceedings, courtroom procedures, and the legal system
• Understands and implements the Texas Rules of Evidence, the Constitution of the United States and the State of Texas, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the Texas Family Code, and the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure
• Clerical – knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology
• Office Work – knowledge of appropriate customer service including in person assistance and telephone and email etiquette; familiarity and proficiency with office machines including copiers and facsimiles
• Computers and Software – proficient personal computer skills including e-mail, record keeping, database activity, spreadsheets, formulas, word processing, and more

Required Education, Experience, And Training

• Doctorate in Jurisprudence from an ABA accredited law school
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as an assistant county or district attorney, city attorney, or other governmental attorney with experience prosecuting criminal cases
• Experience with a broad range of felony offenses is preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish a plus)

Required Certificates And Licenses

• Must be currently licensed by the Texas State Bar
• Must be an active member and in good standing with the Texas State Bar Association
• Valid Texas Driver’s License and a good driving record

Physical And Mental Activities And Requirements For This Position

• Finger dexterity: Manual dexterity sufficient to work with the fingers
• Visual Abilities: Normal vision, with or without corrective lenses
• Physical Strength: Sedentary physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of administrative nature. May frequently bend, kneel, walk, stand, and reach. May occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or move object weighing up to 25 lbs. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally. Extensive sitting. Frequent use of arms, hands, and fingers to reach, handle, touch, and feel
• Language/Comprehension: Ability to read and interpret statutes, regulations, ordinances, legal pleadings, and other business documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints effectively and professionally
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram forms and work with abstract and concrete variables
• Mathematics Ability: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages

WORK SCHEDULE/HOURS

Regular schedule is eight (8) hour shifts for five (5) days each week, Monday – Friday, typically from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm., with occasional evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed.

WORK CONDITIONS

Work will take place in a well-lit, heated and/or cooled indoor office with adequate ventilation. The office environment will generally have a moderate noise level.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• The County Attorney’s Office is running smoothly and efficiently
• Demonstrated knowledge of the legal system and the operations of the County Attorney’s Office
• Demonstrated knowledge of drafting and filing documents with the courts
• Effective working relationships with County staff, victims, defendants, outside counsel, law enforcement officers, and the general public
• Employee understands and adheres to County’s policies
• The County’s professional reputation is maintained