Description:
Summary:This position requires a thorough knowledge of law enforcement procedures. The individual has the responsibility for the supervision of no employees. Individual has daily contact with the public and is responsible for assisting the Criminal District Attorney with trying cases and handling legal matters.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include the following:
- Directly responsible for Misdemeanor cases heard in County Court-At-Law.
- Secondarily handle cases in the District Court and/or JP Court, representing the State in criminal matters. This includes jury selection and non-jury trials at the discretion of the Criminal District Attorney.
- Prepare for pre-trial and post-conviction hearings (motions for discovery, motions to suppress evidence, motions to revoke probation, etc.) weekly.
- Perform legal research and writing daily.
- Prepare for and conduct trials (bench or jury) weekly.
- Prepare and evaluate cases daily. Ensure adequate investigation of cases. Apply the law to facts.
- Perform witness interviews; contact victims; and contact Law Enforcement Agency personnel.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the law.
- Obtain convictions and appropriate punishment according to current law.
- Uphold convictions when appealed by drafting appellate briefs and arguing at the Court of Appeals.
- Screen incoming case reports from local agencies and file an information or present selected cases to the Grand Jury.
- Provide information and interviews to the local press with supervisor's permission.
- Research and answer questions submitted by the Criminal District Attorney or the public.
- Review and handle Protective Orders.
- Attendance is an essential function of the job.
- Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is assigned by the supervisor.
Mandatory Qualifications
Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year College or university and a J.D. (law) degree are required. The individual should possess a thorough working knowledge of law enforcement and court procedures and practices. One-year experience required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
The individual must have a Texas Law license.
Desired Minimum Qualifications
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Physical Demands:
This is a sedentary position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, 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 reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Physical Demands:
This is a sedentary position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, 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 reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color 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 is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
