Assistant Public Defender - Misdemeanor Attorney I - Public Defender - J0703 - 25300

Nueces County•Village of Fonda, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nueces County Public Defender’s Office is seeking an Assistant Public Defender – Misdemeanor Attorney I to represent indigent individuals facing misdemeanor charges. The Assistant Public Defender will provide a full range of legal services to indigent clients. Although the primary responsibility is misdemeanor cases, the Assistant Public Defender may also work on felony, juvenile, and appeal cases. The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Department Head.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school.
A qualified unlicensed law school graduate who meets all requirements as set out in House Bill 424 of the 64th Legislature to obtain a Temporary Trial Card from the State Bar of Texas is eligible to apply for this position.
The applicant must obtain a Temporary Trial Card from the State Bar of Texas within 60 days of the date of hire.
License from the Texas State Bar to practice law in the State of Texas.
Current Texas Operator's License.
Attorneys use their own private vehicles, rather than County cars.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
Ability to effectively present information to top management and public groups.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal law.
Knowledge 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.

Nice To Haves

Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County’s insurance carrier.

Responsibilities

Perform case evaluation, preparation, and management.
Research case law and legal issues.
Draft necessary motions, responses, and briefs, and argue them in court.
Conduct background investigation, interview witnesses, victims, and law enforcement officers where appropriate.
Represent clients in court for pretrial, evidentiary hearings and jury/bench trials.
Communicate case evaluation and status to client effectively and in timely manner.
Communicate effectively with judges, court staff, prosecutors, family members, witnesses, and other interested parties.
Participate in training and continuing education to remain informed of new court decisions, laws, and rules and regulations.
Prioritize and organize work to meet filing deadlines and court appearances.
Collaborate with public defender team and relevant service providers.
Supervise and delegate responsibilities to legal secretaries and investigators.
Maintain legal files and records, document case evaluation and activity.
Performs such other duties as may be assigned.
Assign and review work of Paralegals, Legal Secretaries, and Investigators.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Nueces County policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; and resolving problems.