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SUMMARY: Screens cases for legal sufficiency of charges; and/or prepares cases for which the District Attorney's office has responsibility for prosecution and/or court hearings. Presents and/or prosecutes cases in Justice of the Peace Courts and/or County Courts-at-Law.

The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Department Head.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Include the following:

Screens and reviews simple cases to determine the legal and factual sufficiency of the case.

Seeks and receives assistance with more complex matters.

Conducts investigations and negotiations to determine recommendations for court action.

Performs legal research necessary for misdemeanor criminal prosecutions.

Prepares cases for trial; researches and briefs areas of the law specifically related to the case(s) and to any potential appeal.

Assures the issuance or creation of related legal documents including subpoenas, motions, writs, warrants and other related documents.

Confers with supervisor, defense attorneys, investigators, law enforcement officials, victims, witnesses and other parties concerning assigned cases.

Prosecutes cases before appropriate court and/or jury.

Responds to correspondence from persons making inquiry to or requesting information from the department.

May conduct juvenile hearings or state mental commitment hearings.

Assists clerical and legal secretarial staff as needed.  

May assign and review the work of clerical and secretarial staff on the processing of an assigned case.

Confers with paralegals regarding assigned cases.

Compiles statistical reports.

Utilizes the computer to process, retrieve and disseminate information.

Prosecutes cases or assists in the prosecution of cases in Justice of the Peace Courts and/or County Courts-at-Law.

Interviews witnesses and prepares clients for court hearings.

May write appellate briefs.

Performs criminal intake including reviewing files, interviewing complainants or victims and performing investigations.

Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Does not supervise other employees; but may assign and review work of Paralegals and Legal Secretaries.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County’s insurance carrier.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: J.D. or L.L.B. degree from an accredited law school.

A qualified unlicensed law school graduate who meets all requirements as set out in House Bill 424 of the 64th Legislature to obtain a Temporary Trial Card from the State Bar of Texas is eligible to apply for this position. The applicant must obtain a Temporary Trial Card from the State Bar of Texas within 60 days of the date of hire.  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:  License from the Texas State Bar to practice law in the State of Texas. Current Texas Operator's License. Attorneys use their own private vehicles, rather than County cars.  

A qualified unlicensed law school graduate who meets all requirements as set out in House Bill 424 of the 64th Legislature to obtain a Temporary Trial Card from the State Bar of Texas is eligible to apply for this position. The applicant must obtain a Temporary Trial Card from the State Bar of Texas within 60 days of the date of hire.  

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management and public groups. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Good working knowledge of judicial principles, criminal law principles, Texas Family Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, Texas Penal Code and Public Law.

Ability to develop research methods and perform legal research.

Ability to receive and follow general instructions and make decisions.

Ability to consult knowledgeably with people.

Ability to analyze facts, procedures and legal precedent.

Ability to present facts and precedents effectively in court and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees and officials, court personnel, other attorneys and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to present cases effectively before courts and/or juries.

Ability to operate a computer to process and retrieve data and information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to risk of low radiation while working at the computer terminal. Employee could possibly be exposed to a dangerous defendant or mentally unstable person capable of violence.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

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