Civil Attorney - Juvenile

Reporting directly to the Juvenile Division Director, responsible for representing the State of Texas in juvenile law cases within Williamson County and conducting court proceedings throughout the life of the case, including all pretrial matters, contested trials, probation modifications, and appeals. Trains and counsels local law enforcement agencies on legal matters pertaining to the investigation and processing of juvenile offenders and confers with Williamson County Juvenile Services (WCJS) on rehabilitation methods.

• Research and advises multiple law enforcement agencies on complex criminal juvenile cases, juvenile law, and changes in the law, including evidence acquisition through search warrants or other legal processes and legal interviews of juvenile suspects and witnesses
• Advises Juvenile Services on judicial proceedings, referral to court, Chapter 55 proceedings, Interstate Compact for Juveniles, juvenile records, confidentiality, sealings, detention hearings, adjudications, rehabilitation methods, and dispositions 
• Provides legal research, analysis, and counsel to internal staff and law enforcement regarding juvenile law

• Staffs violent felony offenses and sexually related offenses to determine the qualifications of delinquency or a petition to transfer to adult court, including, but not limited to, Aggravated Sexual Assaults, Aggravated Assaults, Capital Murder, Manslaughter, and other weapon related offenses
• Processes Announcement Dockets and Plea Dockets by handling cases in court, discussing cases with defense attorneys and WCJS personnel, filing of court documents, and responding to the Judge’s questions and requests

• Performs case intake, screens, and follows-up on investigations to include reviewing police reports and evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies
• Drafts investigative requests for additional evidence, makes charging decisions, and files charging instruments

• Drafts legal documents, such as motions, pleadings, orders, plea paperwork, legal memos, search warrants, and administrative documents
• Prepares for and conducts contested court hearings by reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, preparing trial motions, responding to defense motions, preparing trial exhibits, and conducting the hearing (jury selection, opening statements, witness examination, transfer hearings, and closing arguments)
• Conducts plea negotiations and correspondence with defense attorneys by reviewing evidence, reading criminal histories and diagnostic reports, submitting plea offers to defense attorneys, negotiating terms and conditions, and responding to discovery requests
• Identifies trauma-informed based solutions and stays current on juvenile law legislative change
• Directs investigators to obtain evidence and information for various law enforcement agencies as necessary and contacts property crime victims
• Assists the appellate attorney in research projects pertaining to enforcement of juvenile law statutes, interpreting legislative changes, and reading statutes, codes, analytical books, on-line case research, and specialized practice guides
• Represents the State in Justice Peace Court, including processing all criminal cases set for a pretrial or trial hearing, negotiating with defense attorneys and pro-se defendants, and conducting bench and jury trials
• Communicates with victims and witnesses, defense attorneys, law enforcement, Judges, Court Administrators, Probation Officers, County and District Clerk, District Attorney’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Office
• Presents petitions to the Grand Jury for Determinate Sentencing approval
• Prepares and conducts contested §54.11 Transfer hearings and §54.051 Transfer of Determinate Sentence probation to appropriate District Court hearings
• Attends Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings and provides insight and information to law enforcement, the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), and the department
• Assists victims in obtaining Protective Orders
• Evaluates Mental Health Order of Protective Custody (OPC) applications, advises area mental health hospital personnel on OPC applications, files OPC applications on behalf of area mental health hospitals, and represents the State in OPC hearings and commitment hearings as necessary
• Provides back-up coverage to Family Justice Division, including appearing in court hearings on behalf of Child Protective Services
• Attends all meetings and trainings, as required
• Performs special duties as assigned

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports directly to – Juvenile Division Director
• Direct Reports – No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position involves prolonged sitting at a workstation, visual examination of documents, reaching, walking, twisting, bending, standing and occasional lifting/carrying
• Position involves occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty (50) pounds and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment
• Regular travel between work sites as required
• High stress, pressure of deadlines, and case management under limited time constraints

IRREGULAR HOURS

• Work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be required
• May be deemed essential personnel in the event of an emergency
• Regular attendance is required

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school and five (5) years of experience in a county or district attorney office, city attorney, or other governmental attorney with experience in areas related to the job duties; or six (6) years of juvenile experience as an attorney in relevant areas 
• Knowledge of Texas Rules of Evidence, Juvenile Law, Family Code, and Civil Procedure and discovery rules and deadlines
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, LexisNexis, and Westlaw

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

Required within thirty (30) days of employment

Required within six (6) months of employment

• Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) certification
• Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Working knowledge of Odyssey
• Legal research skills 

• Proficient knowledge and use of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 medical and mental health terminology and diagnosis, behaviors associated with such, and the medications prescribed
• Knowledge of Texas Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure and discovery rules and deadlines
• Extensive, proven knowledge in the Juris profession with a clear knowledge and understanding of the Texas Family Code, Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and legal principles and theories.
• Prior public sector experience in a legal capacity
• Criminal jury trial experience

EMPLOYMENT TESTING 

Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

• Criminal background check: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes
• Drug screening: No
• Physical exam: No
• Psychological exam: No
• Additional: N/A

A Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone (512) 943-1533 or visit our website at www.wilcotx.gov/469/Human-Resources.   

Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).  If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department. 

TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICY

Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, etc.) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (e.g., vapor, e-cigarettes, etc.) is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.