Screening Attorney

Position Overview:

Identifies docketed individuals who may be eligible for a “general order bond” and reports such individuals to a designated criminal law hearing officer (CLHO) at probable cause court (PC Court). Provides legal assistance to CLHOs, other staff attorneys, and the court manager concerning matters arising from PC Court operations and/or interactions with other governmental entities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides legal assistance to CLHOs;

• Provides legal assistance to the court manager on matters related to PC Court;

• Keeps up to date with applicable case law and pending or enacted legislation;

• Provides written memoranda detailing significant matters of interest to CLHOs;

• In consultation with the court management team and other applicable agencies, prepares and updates court forms and orders as directed;

• As requested, prepares and updates procedures for practice in PC Court;

• Maintains positive, cooperative relationships with employees of other agencies engaged in operations at PC Court, including—but not limited to—the District Clerk, District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Pretrial Services Agency, and Public Defender’s Office; and

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college of law.

• Three (3) years of legal practice with criminal law experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Active member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas;
• Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) certification within 14 days of employment.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong legal research skills, including facility with Westlaw;

• Ability to quickly and accurately apply legal precedent to real-world situations;

• Experience drafting and reviewing criminal legal documents (orders, motions, warrants, etc.);

• Knowledge of criminal practice and procedure;

• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with supervisors, peers, subordinates, and external constituents;

• Ability to investigate and process facts effectively and accurately apply legal rules to factual situations.

• Ability to work calmly and effectively when faced with high-volume workload and statutorily-fixed deadlines;

• Ability to communicate succinctly and effectively in both oral and written forms;

• Ability to use basic technology, including a personal computer and standard software applications; and

• Ability to abide by the Canons of Judicial Conduct.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization;
• Resident of Harris County;
• Licensed to practice law in Texas for at least five (5) years with substantial criminal law experience;
• Never defeated for reelection to a judicial office;
• Never removed from judicial office by:
  • impeachment by the Supreme Court or the Governor on address to the Texas legislature;
  • the legislature’s abolition of the judge’s court; or
  • resignation from office after having received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct had been instituted and before final disposition of the proceedings.
    

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time

• Positions will support a continual, 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-a-week operation in a secure jail facility, and the attorney must be prepared for a work schedule accommodating such an operation.

Salary:

• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Duties may require prolonged sitting, standing, and walking;

• Attorney will be located in the county jail and must be prepared to work in that frontline environment; and

• Attorney may be in close proximity to individuals accused or suspected of committing criminal offenses and must, therefore, be comfortable and prepared for these surroundings.