District Attorney'S Office - Trial Attorney

Essential Duties
Performs legal research, and keeps abreast of changes in the law;
 
Searches resources and studies legal records and documents to obtain information applicable to case or issue under consideration;
 
Examines video, file and physical case evidence;
 
Drafts briefs, motions, orders, subpoenas, contracts, notices, and other legal documents, as well as correspondence and reports;
 
Takes depositions and responds to discovery requests;
 
Responds to phone calls from the general public; provides general information;
 
Oversees the creation and issuance of legal documents, including subpoenas, motions, orders, writs, warrants, contracts, official policies and other related documents;
 
Represents the department at docket calls;
 
Prepares cases for trial;
 
Collects, organizes and prepares evidence, information and other legal materials;
 
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;
 
Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;
 
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
 
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

District Attorney Office:
Represents the State of Texas in the prosecution of adult felony, misdemeanor, and asset forfeiture cases, including ancillary criminal and civil proceedings, filed in the justice, county, district, and appellate courts;
 
Reviews investigative reports from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and officers, and exercises discretion in determining which cases are accepted for prosecution or declined and appropriate criminal charges and forfeitures;
 
Represents the State of Texas in presenting cases to Grand Jury;
 
Appears in court and represents the State of Texas at arraignment, pre-trial hearings, trial, sentencing, post-conviction and appellate proceedings, and other related or ancillary criminal and civil proceedings;
 
Exercises discretion in determining appropriate trial or other strategies to dispose of felony and misdemeanor cases and engages in pre-trial negotiations and plea bargaining with defense attorneys;
 
Drafts and/or reviews the creation of notices, motions, briefs, orders, subpoenas, and other legal documents, correspondence, and reports;
 
Coordinates with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers; prepares them for court appearances; marshals evidence; prepares for pre-trial and post-trial motions and hearings; and issues subpoenas and other legal documents;
 
Appears, answers briefs, and argues on behalf of the State of Texas on appeals to the Eighth Court of Appeals, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court of the United States;
 
Meets regularly with and works extensively with a variety of government, social service, and law enforcement agencies, organizations, and committees;
 
May advise law enforcement agencies and personnel regarding legal requirements for arrest or search warrants;
 
Employs sound and independent judgment when exercising  prosecutorial discretion in accordance with the law and the policies of the District Attorney; and
 
Exercises all prosecutorial discretion and performs all prosecutorial functions in the overriding pursuit of justice--not only for victims of crime and for the accused, but also for the people of the State of Texas.
 
Other Important Duties
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;
 
May work extended hours and weekends;

Regular out of town travel for professional conferences and meetings;
 
Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment;
 
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

 

Summary of Position
The Attorney/Trial Attorney under close supervision, and depending on area of assignment: provides general counsel for various County Offices and staff; prosecutes criminal, civil and family law cases; represents, defends, and advocates for clients accused of a crime; reviews family case law for legal sufficiency and litigates family law enforcement cases. May include appellate work in any or all of these areas.
 
This is the first in a series of three non-supervisory attorney-related job classifications within the Attorneys job family.

Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Trial Team Chief, Division Chief, Senior Division Chief
 
Directs:  This is a non-supervisory position
 
Other:  Has contact with department heads and/or staff in order to coordinate and complete assigned responsibilities, attorneys, investigators, judiciary and court staff, law enforcement, witnesses, social work agencies, vendors, contractors, other county employees, and the general public.