Felony Defender - Texas Indigent Defense Commis...

Description:

General Summary:
This position provides a full range of legal services to indigent defendants in the assigned felony and misdemeanor cases. Primary responsibility to handle the felony case load. Additional responsibilities to assist in misdemeanor caseload, trial preparation and trials, as directed.

Essential Duties:

• Under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender, this position will provide legal representation to clients appointed to the Public Defender's Office.
• Maintain a caseload that will not exceed the Texas Indigent Defense Commission's Guidelines for Indigent Defense Caseloads.
• Obtain and review discovery and documents provided by the prosecution.
• Research and investigate issues and cases.
• Meet with and interview clients in person, including at the jail.
• Communicate with clients through telephone calls and written correspondence during the pretrial, trial, and post-trial process.
• Prepare and file pleadings for trial.
• Prioritize and organize workload to meet deadlines.
• Maintain awareness of new court decisions, laws, rules and regulations.
• Meet with investigator(s) to monitor the progress of investigations.
• Screen cases for potential conflicts.
• Assist in the training of new and less experienced attorneys.
• Prepare cases for court and conduct trials as assigned.
• Provide narrative and descriptive entries in client files of opinions, impressions and facts collected.
• Negotiate with prosecutors and others involved in the court process.
• Advise clients on plea offers, options and potential for success at trial or other dispositions of cases.
• Advise clients of constitutional rights waived by pleading guilty and the potential direct and collateral consequences of a guilty plea.
• Select juries, examine and cross examine witnesses, draft and argue jury instructions and argue cases to the jury.
• Advise non-citizen clients of the specific immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
• Attend conferences and stay current on legal updates.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Supervision:

• Received: Will be supervised by the Chief Public Defender.
• Given: Will assist in the training and supervision of less experienced attorneys.

Education:
Required: Juris doctor degree from accredited law school.

Preferred:
Experience:
Required: Five or more years of experience involving criminal representation in state courts. Ten or more felony criminal jury trials taken to a verdict as first chair

Preferred:
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Required: Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas [following is some suggested language if you want to open up to attorneys outside Texas}: Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas or immediately eligible to obtain licensure through the Texas Board of Law Examiners Admission Without Examination (AWOX) process. (Applicants must review the TBLE AWOX requirements: https://ble.texas.gov/admission-without-examination). Valid driver's license
• Preferred: Board certification in Criminal Law

Physical Demands:
Typical: Typical activities common to an office environment such as walking, sitting, use of computer equipment, creating and moving paper files, operating a copy machine, walking to and from court as needed. Some driving may be necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Typical: Advanced computer, research and writing skills including trial advocacy, legal research and library skills. Verbal and written communication and organizational skills; interpersonal skills and ability to deal effectively with the public, other employees and elected officials; skilled in problem solving and decision-making. Must have high degree of case evaluation and advocacy skills. Knowledge of trial procedures and rules of evidence. Advanced knowledge of state and federal laws, codes and regulations pertaining to area of assignment; knowledge of philosophy and practices of public defense.

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