Attorney II - County Attorney

Williamson County Adult Probation; Georgetown (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Williamson County is seeking a prosecutor to handle adult misdemeanor prosecutions from intake through appeal, representing the State for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in protective order applications. Responsibilities include case intake, charging decisions, plea negotiations, evidence review, and witness interviews.

The role requires JD and Texas criminal law experience.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school and one 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

Responsibilities

• Represents the State on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in protective order applications.
• Screens new cases, makes charging and filing decisions, and represents the State in court proceedings including arraignment dockets, bench trials, jury trials, pretrial hearings, probation revocation hearings and appeals.
• Performs legal research, interviews victims and witnesses, drafts motions and pleadings, and negotiates plea terms.
• Represents the County in contested protective orders and travels to Justice Peace Court for pre-trial or trial hearings.

Skills

Legal research

Courtroom procedures

Witness interviewing

Education

Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Acrobat

LexisNexis

Westlaw

Job description

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.

• 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

Protective Order Assignment

• Represents the County Attorney’s Office on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in applications for protective orders within Williamson County
• Reviews protective order applications and represent the State in all matters relating to protective orders
• Negotiates on behalf of the victim-applicant with opposing counsel and pro se respondents in order to resolve cases in an effective, timely manner
• Prepares for and represents the State on behalf of victims in contested protective order hearings to include reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, preparing motions, responding to respondent’s motions, preparing exhibits, and conducting the actual hearing itself in both County and District Courts

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

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

• 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

• Criminal background check: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes
• Drug screening: No
• Physical exam: No
• Psychological exam: No
• Additional: N/A

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.