Trial Team Secretary

Please ensure that you fill out this DPS criminal background check permission form (you must open this in internet explorer to digitally sign). All that is needed is your name, signature, and the date.  You will need to attach this to your application. CRIMINAL CHECKS CAN NOT BE RUN WITHOUT THIS FORM AND YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.

Handles all aspects of trial team Grand Juries, including orientation of jurors, drafting of indictments/information and subpoenas, performing bailiff duties, and routing paperwork to and from District Clerk/County Clerk and District Attorney office; drafts dismissals, judgments, jury charges, and various motions; inform victims pertaining to upcoming court dates, schedule victim/witness appearance, make travel arrangements, forward paper work to District Clerk for witness book; Coordinates all writs, ad prosequendum, and ad testificandum for District Attorney including preparing and sending paper to state and federal institution; completes and processes criminal history reporting forms.

• Performs all duties assigned by the District Attorney, First Assistants District Attorney, Chief Administrative Assistant and works at the daily direction of the Trial Team Chiefs.
• Updates data pertaining to defendants, victims, and witnesses.
• Opens correspondence with victims as needed as back up to the victim assistance coordinator.
• Informs victims pertaining to upcoming court dates.
• Coordinates Grand Jury, including orientation of jurors, subpoenas, bailiff duties, routing paperwork from attorneys to the Grand Jury, routing paperwork from the District Clerk and District Attorneys office, and coordinating with the appropriate court.
• Drafts, dismissals, judgments, jury charges, witness lists and 404b notices, and miscellaneous motions and orders for attorneys.
• Coordinates all writs ad prosequendum and ad testificandum for the District Attorney, including preparing and sending detailed paperwork to various state and federal institutions, and coordinating court dates with prison and jail schedules.
• Coordinates witnesses for pretrial interviews and preparation.
• Prepares necessary paperwork for any destruction of evidence any law enforcement agency deems necessary.
• Opens and maintains records of Judgment Nisi, both judgments and dismissals on all cases as they may occur.
• Completes criminal history reporting forms and disperses to appropriate agencies.
• Handles incoming calls from the public, other offices and law enforcement agencies.
• Coordinates plea schedule with District/County Court Coordinator.
• Assists with preparation of trial exhibits, court filings, determination of restitution amounts, tracking records, and trial notebooks.
• Aids attorneys with jury selection including taking notes during voir dire, running criminal histories, and making challenges.
• Performs the duties of witness coordinator for attorneys in the court. This includes ensuring all witnesses are present and near the courtroom when required; remaining in the courtroom if necessary during witness testimony; maintaining decorum of the witnesses;  seeing to the witnesses comfort and security.
• Prepares and files paperwork for transfer of cases to and from felony/misdemeanor case load
• Performs duties of receptionist and file clerk as needed.
• Assists Chief Administrative Assistant with any duties or special projects as needed.
• Performs as a Notary public.
• Preforms intake and closing out of cases in the case management system when necessary;
• Coordinates with United States Marshal's Office and Texas Department of Criminal Justice locator.
• Backs up hot check when necessary.
• Prepares and processes offender pen packets for the Clerk's Office;
• Requests certified judgments from other counties and out of state when necessary;
• Backs up other trial team secretaries, receptionist, and file clerk when necessary.
• Receives and answers calls from the public, law enforcement and other department within Midland County.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

High school graduate, or equivalent, plus at least five years of experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certification with the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications Service (TLETS) and Notary Public. 

Legal terminology and practices; computers; the criminal justice system; standard office policies and procedures; supervisory management and personnel practices and procedures.

Read, analyze, and interpret data and office policies; effectively manage people; prioritize tasks to be completed; perform basic legal research, such as finding case law; read and understand basic legal procedures; draft legal correspondence; perform basic mathematical functions; operate office equipment, such as copy machine and facsimile machine; communicate effectively, both in person and over the phone; and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.