Public Defender II - Texas Indigent Defense Commission Grant - 2

Brazos County•Bryan, TX

35d•$92,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides a full range of legal services to indigent defendants in the assigned felony and misdemeanor cases. Primary responsibility to handle the felony case load. Additional responsibilities to assist in misdemeanor caseload, trial preparation and trials, as directed. Under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender, this position will provide legal representation to clients appointed to the Public Defender’s Office. The role involves obtaining and reviewing discovery, researching and investigating issues, meeting with clients, preparing and filing pleadings, maintaining correspondence, prioritizing workload, staying current on legal developments, meeting with investigators, screening cases for conflicts, assisting in training new attorneys, preparing cases for court and conducting trials, maintaining client files, negotiating with prosecutors, advising clients on plea offers and constitutional rights, selecting juries, examining witnesses, drafting jury instructions, arguing cases to the jury, and advising non-citizen clients of immigration consequences. Attorneys are expected to use professional courtesy, discretion, and sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality of client information and business knowledge.

Requirements

Juris doctor degree from accredited law school.
Five or more years of experience involving criminal representation in state courts.
Ten or more felony criminal jury trials taken to a verdict as first chair.
Member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Board certification in Criminal Law.

Responsibilities

Provide legal representation to clients appointed to the Public Defender’s Office.
Obtain and review discovery and documents provided by the prosecution.
Research and investigate issues and cases.
Meet with clients as necessary.
Return all telephone calls and other communication from or on behalf of clients.
Prepare and file pleadings for trial.
Maintain written correspondence with clients during pretrial, trial, and post-trial process.
Prioritize and organize workload to meet deadlines.
Maintain awareness of new court decisions, laws, rules, and regulations.
Meet with investigator(s) to monitor the progress of investigations.
Screen cases for potential conflicts.
Assist in the training of new and less experienced attorneys.
Prepare cases for court and conduct trials as assigned.
Provide narrative and descriptive entries in client files of opinions, impressions and facts collected.
Negotiate with prosecutors and others involved in the court process.
Advise clients on plea offers, options and potential for success at trial or other dispositions of cases.
Advise clients of constitutional rights waived by pleading guilty and the potential direct and collateral consequences of a guilty plea.
Select juries, examine, and cross examine witnesses, draft and argue jury instructions and argue cases to the jury.
Advise non-citizen clients of the specific immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
Attend conferences and stay current on legal updates.
Use professional courtesy, discretion and sound judgment when engaging in contact with co-workers, clients, prosecutors, judges, other county employees and members of the public.
Maintain confidentiality of client information and business knowledge.