Employer:
Williamson County Attorney’s Office
Location:
Georgetown, Texas
POSITION: Assistant County Attorney – Lead Criminal Attorney
SALARY: $103,334.38
JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting directly to a Criminal Director, responsible for all adult misdemeanor prosecutions from intake through final disposition. Screens new cases, makes charging and filing decisions, and represents the State of Texas in all court proceedings, plea negotiations, evidence review, trial preparation, and witness interviews. Supervises adult criminal prosecutions in a County Court at Law and one or more Justice of the Peace courts. Trains and assists less experienced prosecutors.
General Duties:
- Performs case intake, screens, and follows-up on investigations to include reviewing police reports and evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies
- Drafts investigative requests for additional evidence, makes charging decisions, and files charging instruments
- Assists with personnel management, including recommendations for hiring, firing, termination, employee recognition, disciplinary action, and training
- Conducts performance evaluations and makes pay recommendations
- Represents the State in County Courts at Law, ensuring cases have been appropriately prepared for each docket, working towards resolving the cases while in court, discussing plea options and other case needs with defense attorneys, working alongside probation officers, filing any necessary court documents, and providing information to the Court upon request
- Prepares for and represents the State in contested court hearings, to include reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, preparing trial motions, responding to defense motions, preparing trial exhibits, and conducting the hearing (i.e., jury selection, opening statements, witness examination and closing arguments)
- Makes appropriate plea offers upon reviewing evidence, criminal histories, police reports and other relevant information, negotiates with defense attorneys, and handles discovery requests
- Prepares for and represents the State in any hearings in open court for motions to revoke probation, motions to amend bond conditions, motions to increase bond, and for restitution
- Prepares for and represents the State during pretrials, announcement dockets, and first appearance dockets
- Assists with the screening, filing, and hearings for obtaining Protective Orders as needed
- Performs legal research by reading statutes and codes, analytical books, online case research, and specialized practice guides
- Interviews and communicates with victims and witnesses, and answers questions regarding the criminal justice system
- Drafts legal documents such as motions, memoranda, and briefs
- Represents the State in Justice of the Peace courts to include travelling to various precincts on a weekly basis to process all criminal cases set for pretrial dockets or contested hearings, negotiates with defense attorneys and pro-se defendants, and represents the State in bench and jury trials
- Reviews offense reports and discovery logs to ensure that all discovery has been received and made available to defense counsel
- Processes applications, reviews assessments, and processes approvals and denials for the pretrial intervention program
- Communicates with county personnel, elected officials, Judges, defense attorneys, victims and witnesses of crime, law enforcement agencies, and the general public on behalf of the County Attorney’s Office
- Attends all meetings and trainings, as required
- Performs special duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS:
Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school and three (3) years of experience as a licensed attorney, and one (1) year of demonstrated lead or supervisory experience.
Candidates should be proficient in electronic legal research. Candidates should possess superior communications skills. Abilities to manage a considerable docket of active cases and consistently satisfy deadlines in the face of competing time demands are essential functions of the position. The selected candidate must be able to demonstrate these skills and perform these functions with minimal direction from the County Attorney.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Mainly indoor activity. Significant contact with the public, crime victims, witnesses, persons accused/convicted of crimes, police officers, and other law enforcement /courthouse personnel.
About This Office
Williamson County is a medium size office serving approximately 28 law enforcement agencies including the City of Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Georgetown. Health and retirement benefits provided through Williamson County. State Bar dues, CLE and membership in TDCAA for the selected candidate will be paid by the County Attorney’s Office.
APPLICATIONS
To be considered, interested candidates must submit an Employment Application online only thru Williamson County Human Resources at
https://agency.governmentjobs.com/williamsonco/default.cfm
Not every applicant will be interviewed. No phone calls. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Employment is ALWAYS AT WILL of the County Attorney.
Resumes may be emailed to:
Stephanie Lloyd, Chief Office Administrator – [email protected]
However, an application MUST be completed via Williamson County HR online portal.