Contract Specialty Court Defense Attorney Adult Felony Drug Court

We are seeking an experienced, part-time Specialty Court Defense Attorney to provide dedicated legal representation for participants in our Adult Felony Drug Court. This position requires a minimum of 3 years of criminal defense experience and a strong commitment to therapeutic jurisprudence while working in a team environment.
You will protect participants' constitutional rights while working within a multidisciplinary team to support client rehabilitation and program compliance. The Midland County Adult Felony Drug Court Team includes the judge, law enforcement, court coordinator, peer support, prosecutor, treatment providers, and probation officers.

• Participant Representation: Advocate for clients during eligibility assessments, entry hearings, regular status reviews, and sanction or termination hearings.
• Team Collaboration: Attend and actively participate in all pre-hearing team staffings to review participant progress and discuss clinical incentives or supervision adjustments.
• Rights Protection: Ensure due process rights for clients are maintained throughout the non-adversarial court process.
• Legal Counsel: Advise participants regarding program requirements, constitutional waivers, and the legal implications of compliance or non-compliance. Represent participants during modification hearings scheduled in the District Court as related to the terms of the participant’s probation and conditions of specialty court compliance.

• Document Drafting: Prepare and file necessary legal motions, orders, program agreements, and modifications.

• Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensure: Active membership and good standing with the State Bar of Texas for a minimum of 3 years.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of criminal defense litigation experience (felony experience preferred).

Specialized Training
Required:

• Must demonstrate a commitment to the nationally recognized Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards, emphasizing participant-centered advocacy, procedural fairness, evidence-based practices, and collaborative problem-solving while maintaining the ethical duties of defense counsel.
• Completion of introductory Specialty Court training within six (6) months of hire; if not previously completed.
• Understanding of the ethical considerations unique to collaborative courts, including the role of defense counsel in multidisciplinary team settings.
• Ability to work collaboratively with judges, prosecutors, treatment providers, supervision officers, and community partners while maintaining independent advocacy for clients.

• Hours: Estimated 6 to 8 hours per week.
• Duration: Estimated 42+ weeks per year, aligning with the court's active session calendar.