Job Title: Assistant Public Defender - Felony Attorney III
Job Responsibilities:
The Assistant Public Defender - Felony Attorney III is responsible for representing indigent individuals who are facing felony charges. The role primarily involves providing a comprehensive range of legal services to these clients, although the attorney may also handle misdemeanor, juvenile, and appeal cases. The job requires a commitment to being on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the department head.
Key responsibilities include:
- Performing case evaluation, preparation, and management.
- Conducting research on case law and legal issues, drafting necessary motions, responses, and briefs, and arguing them in court.
- Conducting background investigations and interviewing witnesses, victims, and law enforcement officers when appropriate.
- Representing clients in court for pretrial, evidentiary hearings, and jury/bench trials.
- Communicating case evaluation and status to clients effectively and in a timely manner.
- Maintaining effective communication with judges, court staff, prosecutors, family members, witnesses, and other interested parties.
- Participating in training and continuing education to stay informed of new court decisions, laws, and regulations.
- Prioritizing and organizing work to meet filing deadlines and court appearances.
- Collaborating with the public defender team and relevant service providers.
- Supervising and delegating responsibilities to legal secretaries and investigators.
- Assisting in training less experienced public defenders as requested by the Chief Public Defender.
- Maintaining legal files and records, documenting case evaluations and activities.
- Performing any other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The Assistant Public Defender is responsible for assigning and reviewing the work of Legal Secretaries, Paralegals, and Investigators. This includes carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization policies and applicable laws. Specific tasks include training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work, and resolving problems.
Education and Experience:
To be eligible for the position, the candidate must have graduated from an accredited law school and have at least two years of experience as an attorney. A current membership in the State Bar of Texas is required. For current organization employees, any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
The candidate must possess a license from the Texas State Bar to practice law in the State of Texas. A Texas Operator's Driver's License is also required, as attorneys use their own private vehicles rather than county cars.
Other Skills and Abilities:
Candidates should have:
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal law.
- Understanding of trial procedures.
- Ability to evaluate facts, procedures, and legal precedents relevant in complex court cases.
- Skill in making persuasive legal arguments.
- Knowledge of investigative tools and techniques.
- Skill in conducting legal research.
- Ability to use computers and relevant software programs.
Physical Demands:
The job requires the employee to frequently talk or hear, and occasionally stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment ranges from quiet to moderate noise levels. The role occasionally involves working in outside weather conditions and visiting clients at county jail or prison facilities. Employees might be exposed to dangerous defendants or mentally unstable individuals capable of violence.
Salary Information:
The base pay for this position is $82, annually.
