Clerk IV (Misdemeanor)

Comal County•New Braunfels, TX

About The Position

The Clerk IV provides support to misdemeanor prosecutors in all aspects of misdemeanor prosecution and must maintain the confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information. The position handles criminal case intake and evidence, prepares and maintains case documents and records, supports prosecutors in court, and performs other duties as assigned by misdemeanor prosecutors, the Chief Misdemeanor Prosecutor, and the First Assistant District Attorney. Attendance is an essential function. The role is sedentary and is based in an office with a usually moderate noise level. The regular schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., five days per week, with hours potentially fluctuating depending on court or project needs. The office closes for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.; when covering reception, the employee must open the office at 8:00 a.m. and return from lunch no later than 1:00 p.m.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
One to two years of experience.
Thorough working knowledge of clerical procedures and practices.
Good public relations skills, communication abilities, and professional demeanor.
Experience using a multi-line telephone and hands-on computer experience.
Excellent writing skills.
Ability to read and interpret statutes, rules, judicial decisions, and other documents.
Ability to draft legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, motions, and discovery.
Ability to communicate effectively with the public and people in the legal system.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and compute rates, ratios, and percentages, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply commonsense understanding to instructions and solve problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Ability to perform the described physical demands, including regularly lifting or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in criminal and civil law is helpful but not required.
Legal Assistant certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Intake criminal cases from law enforcement agencies; verify that evidence has been received and request missing evidence, criminal histories, prior judgments, certified driving records, and pen packs.
Request additional investigations when needed or requested by misdemeanor attorneys to support case review and prosecution.
Prepare court and jury trial dockets, including custody status, back-time credit, failures to appear, bond violations, and offers.
Organize and prepare discovery for charged cases.
Maintain and update spreadsheets, case management systems, and discovery logs.
Prepare complaint information and file pleadings with the court.
Prepare dismissals and non-prosecution forms as directed by misdemeanor prosecutors.
Prepare Motions to Revoke or Motions to Adjudicate based on probation violation notices; communicate with the assigned prosecutor regarding filing decisions and timely e-file approved and signed motions.
Notify prosecutors promptly of contested matters set for docket and prepare documentation for contested hearings.
Run criminal history reports when requested by the assigned prosecutor.
Accurately maintain case status in the case management system.
Assist misdemeanor prosecutors in court by updating dockets with reset dates, hearing types, and follow-up notes; preparing plea exhibits; documenting sentences pronounced by the court; and preparing accurate judgments.
When judgments are not prepared in court, prepare them by the next business day for prosecutor review.
Prepare extradition documents, governor’s warrants, and bench warrants as needed and in a timely manner to ensure defendants’ presence in Comal County.
Perform other duties as directed by misdemeanor prosecutors, the Chief Misdemeanor Prosecutor, and the First Assistant District Attorney.
Maintain attendance as an essential function of the job.