Description:
Summary:This position requires a thorough knowledge of law enforcement procedures. The Attorney (JP) has daily contact with the public and is responsible for assisting the Criminal District Attorney with trying cases and handling legal matters. This is an entry-level attorney position for the J.P. Courts.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include the following:
The Litigator will prosecute cases involving matters such as the following examples (not an exclusive list):
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:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. A Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university and a J.D. (law) degree are required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
The individual must have a Texas Law license and be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Desired Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
The individual should possess a thorough knowledge of Texas Criminal Law, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. The person hired for this position should be familiar with concepts such as preservation of error and procedural default. Over three (3) years of experience is preferred but is not required.
Language Skills:
The individual should possess the ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex legal documents including opinions from the courts of appeals, appellate briefs, and pro se writs of habeas corpus. The individual should possess the ability to prepare oral arguments and present such arguments to the court of appeals.
Mathematical Skills:
The individual should possess the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. The individual should also possess the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Independence
The individual should possess the ability to follow instructions in both written and oral form. The individual should also possess the ability to keep up with all deadlines for multiple cases pending on appeal and through writs of habeas corpus without constant supervision or micro-management.
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, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with their hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 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:
- Directly responsible for Misdemeanor cases heard in Justice of the Peace Court Precincts 1-4.
- Assist with the intake and prosecution of Mental Commitments, Protective Orders, and Environmental cases.
- Assist with the review and processing of Misdemeanor Intake.
- Secondarily handle cases in the District Court and/or County Courts at Law, representing the State in criminal matters. This includes jury selection and non-jury trials at the discretion of the Criminal District Attorney.
- Research and answer questions submitted by the Criminal District Attorney or the public.
- Any duties assigned by Supervisor or by the Criminal District Attorney.
- 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:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent required. A Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university and a J.D. (law) degree are required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
The individual must have a Texas Law license and be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Desired Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
The individual should possess a thorough knowledge of Texas Criminal Law, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. The person hired for this position should be familiar with concepts such as preservation of error and procedural default. Over three (3) years of experience is preferred but is not required.
Language Skills:
The individual should possess the ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex legal documents including opinions from the courts of appeals, appellate briefs, and pro se writs of habeas corpus. The individual should possess the ability to prepare oral arguments and present such arguments to the court of appeals.
Mathematical Skills:
The individual should possess the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. The individual should also possess the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Independence
The individual should possess the ability to follow instructions in both written and oral form. The individual should also possess the ability to keep up with all deadlines for multiple cases pending on appeal and through writs of habeas corpus without constant supervision or micro-management.
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, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with their hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 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 essential duties described herein will ordinarily be performed within an office environment or within a courtroom. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
