Attorney II (Criminal Assignment) - County Attorney

Job Title

Criminal Prosecution 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. 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

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

Regular attendance is 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

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)

Employment Testing

Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

Criminal background check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes

Drug screening: No

Physical exam: No

Psychological 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.

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.

Tobacco Free Workplace Policy: Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, etc.) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (e.g., vapor, e-cigarettes, etc.) is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.