Description:

Please ensure you are attaching your Juris Doctor Degree (J.D)/Bachelor's of Law Degree (L.L.B), Texas Drivers License, Texas Bar License and Resume.

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 and at least one (1) year of work experience as an attorney.
  • Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities, may be considered for current Nueces County employees only.

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.

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 to finger, 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.