Assistant Felony Attorney III - District Attorney - J21450 - 35200

The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Department Head.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

Screens for approval for presentation to the Grand Jury felony criminal cases presented to the District Attorney's Office from all Constables, Police Departments and other Law Enforcement agencies in Nueces County. 

Presents all of the above cases to the Nueces County Grand Jury. 

Reads and reviews 100 to 150 criminal cases to determine if they are legally suitable for criminal prosecution. 

Directs peace officers from all agencies in Nueces County and some from outside Nueces County on the extent and quality of their criminal investigation. 

Drafts and prepares legal criminal indictments for all felonies presented to the Nueces County Grand Jury. 

Does legal research on abnormal and unusual criminal situations that arise frequently. 

Reads and understands all current reported criminal cases in legal texts to keep current on law changes. 

Visits various crime scenes to determine if evidence is legally sufficient.

At least one day a week, presents criminal cases to the Grand Jury. 

Subpoena witnesses before the Grand Jury. 

Examines documents and witnesses appearing before the Grand Jury as an investigative tool in criminal cases at the direction of the Grand Jury. 

Sets and/or recommends bond amounts for all criminal cases presented. 

Approves or rejects requests for arrest warrants from all peace officers. 

Attends initial appearances for jailed prisoners in various district courts and in county jail. 

At initial appearances, discusses with District Judges the recommended bond amounts and the quality of the state's criminal case. 

Confers with supervisor, defense attorneys, investigators, law enforcement officials, victims, witnesses and other parties concerning assigned cases. 

Responds to correspondence from persons making inquiry to or requesting information from the department. 

Negotiates with defense attorneys and victims regarding pleas. 

May prepare appellate briefs. 

May draft final orders, temporary orders, motions during pendency, motions to modify further temporary orders, motions to appoint attorneys, motions regarding service of process, or other court documents applicable to prosecution of assigned cases. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:  Assigns and reviews work of Legal Secretaries and Paralegals.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Nueces County policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; and resolving problems. 

QUALIFICATIONS:  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.  Any employee who drives a vehicle on official business must have a driving record which meets standards set by the County and the County’s insurance carrier. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  J.D. or L.L.B. degree from an accredited law school and preferably two years of work experience as an attorney, preferably criminal.   

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities, may be considered for current Nueces County employees only.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management and public groups. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. 

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:  License from the Texas State Bar to practice law in the State of Texas.   License to practice in Federal District Court is preferred. 

Texas Operator's Driver's License.  Attorneys use their own private vehicle and not a county car. 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:  Must be extremely familiar with the Texas Penal Code and Texas Code of Criminal Procedures. 

Must know legal elements of all felonies from capital murder to theft. 

Thorough knowledge of all judicial principles and of criminal and civil law and procedures, including constitutional as well as statutory law. 

Ability to analyze and appraise facts, procedures and legal precedents affecting complex court cases in area of specialty. 

Ability to present facts and precedents effectively in court and in writing in complex cases. 

Familiarity with general investigative techniques.  Ability to direct others in law-related matters. 

Ability to conduct complex legal research and to apply negotiating skills. 

Ability to try major cases, including managing relationships with the public and the media. 

Organizational skills which enable employee to handle large caseload in an efficient manner. 

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees and officials, court personnel, other attorneys and the general public. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Employee could possibly be exposed to a dangerous defendant or mentally unstable person capable of violence.

The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to moderate.