Indigent Criminal Defense Attorney

Smith County • Tyler, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This contract position provides legal services to indigent defendants in criminal cases in the 475th District Court of Smith County, Texas. The contract starts on October 1st, 2026, and will expire on September 30th, 2027. Interested attorneys may request to view a copy of the potential contract by setting up an appointment with Human Resources at [phone].

Requirements

• Maintains the minimum qualifications to practice law in the State of Texas
• Consistently demonstrates commitment to providing effective assistance of counsel and quality representation to criminal defendants
• Has not been sanctioned by a court for failure to appear
• Maintains his or her principal office in Smith County (A principal office is the commercial location where the attorney conducts the majority of his or her criminal law practice and does not include a post office address)
• Maintain a secretary, receptionist, answering service or daily monitored answering machine or voicemail system at his or her principal Smith County office
• Maintain a current listing in the Tyler, Texas telephone book and/or in directory assistance

Nice To Haves

• Experience and qualifications of the applicant
• Applicant's past performance in representing defendants in criminal cases
• Applicant's disciplinary history with the state bar
• Applicant's ability to comply with the terms of the contract
• Cost of the services under the contract

Responsibilities

• Provide quality, effective, competent, zealous legal representation to all clients in a professional, skilled manner consistent with the attorney's responsibilities under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and all applicable laws.
• Ensure continuity of representation of the client unless relieved or replaced in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 26.04(j)(2).
• Submit a monthly report to be approved by the Appointing Authority, in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 26.05.
• Make every reasonable effort to contact any court-appointed client not later than the end of the first working day after the date on which the attorney is appointed and to interview the defendant as soon as practicable after the attorney is appointed.

Benefits

• Contractors are responsible for providing their own equipment, managing their own schedules, and paying all required federal, state, and self-employment taxes.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed