ATTORNEY II.PUBLIC DEFENDER

About the position

Under general supervision represents indigent defendants in misdemeanor, juvenile detention, or mental health cases as assigned. Performs case evaluation, preparation, and management; represents the client in pre-trial and evidentiary hearings and jury/court trials; and ensures effective communication with judges, prosecuting attorneys, court personnel, family members, witnesses and other interested parties. Conducts legal research; drafting legal documents; and interpreting laws, rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates appointed case or lawsuit by reviewing documentation, conducting necessary legal research on applicable law, interviewing clients, witnesses or persons with knowledge of the case, reviewing and gathering evidence, preparing investigative requests, and determining most appropriate action(s) to be taken.
• Interviews clients. Discusses facts of case, potential defenses and applicable laws and procedures.
• Explains legal process to potential witnesses, prepares witnesses for court testimony, and ensures clients are informed on status of case.
• Drafts, files and responds to necessary motions, briefs, or other legal documents for trial and/or hearing.
• Gathers, prepares, reviews and presents evidence, exhibits, and related material for trial or hearing.
• Represents the client in trial and at all applicable hearings by conducting jury selection, presenting opening statements, conducting direct and cross-examinations of witnesses, and presenting closing arguments.
• Participates in plea-bargain negotiations; prepares necessary legal documents and ensures necessary signatures are secured and documents filed as required.
• Documents client files, prepares trial notebook, and maintains statistical information regarding caseload and dispositions.
• Trains and assists in training less experienced misdemeanor public defenders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a license to practice law in the State of Texas.
• One (1) year experience practicing law required.
• Experience obtained under the third year bar card, or work as a licensed attorney in the Public Defender's Office on a Pro Bono basis, can be counted for experience. Maximum Pro Bono experience is one year.
• Completion of a law degree at an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
• Current licensing as an attorney to practice law in the State of Texas.
• Experience through the law school's criminal clinic program, or internship with a district, county, or public defender offices while holding an active Third Year Student Bar Card.
• Presentation of an official law school transcript and a notarized affidavit from the employer(s) where the internship was performed indicating the number of actual hours worked.