Public Defender's Office - Trial Attorney

Minimum Qualifications Acceptable Experience and Education

Doctor of Jurisprudence.

Must have and maintain a license to practice law in the State of Texas and be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

For Public Defender's Office and Domestic Relations Office Only: a candidate with a Supervised Practice Card may be considered for this Trial Attorney position under the Rules Governing the Supervised Practice of Law by Qualified Law Students and Qualified Unlicensed Law School Graduates in Texas as passed by the Supreme Court of Texas in 2020. These candidates must obtain their Texas State Bar license after passing the bar exam in order to qualify for continued employment.

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

• 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

• May include appellate work in any or all of these areas
• Establishes and maintains close contact with defendants by regular visits to the Correctional facilities or by constant correspondence via personal visits to the Public Defender's Office, phone contact, or by letters to defendants not in custody
• Prepares litigation on family law cases covers this potential area of practice more inclusively
• Represents all indigent persons charged with crimes in the County whose cases are appointed to the Public Defender's Office
• Defends individual adults and juveniles charged with felonies, misdemeanors and traffic cases for which a sentence of incarceration may be imposed
• Provides representation at all stages of the court process, including before the filing of formal charges, at the trial court level, and any related appeals
• Provides effective representation to clients while managing a large caseload
• Represents as assigned to handle specific types of cases such as family, juvenile, indigent, mental health, appellate, etc.
• Works closely with Public Defender staff, investigators, social workers, and mitigation specialists, as well as community agencies to match needs of clients with resources, programs, and assistance providing holistic, client-centered representation
• Handles all court hearings for clients, including seeking bond reductions in the Jail Magistrate Court, arraignment court and bond court
• Interviews clients (both detained and on bond) supporting preparation for and argues motions for release on personal bond and/or bond reduction, development and investigation of defenses to pending charges, and development of potential mitigation of punishment
• Meets with clients when arrested and obtains their history to make bond arguments to the court
• Maintains strong, ongoing working relationship with clients in person, including visits in detention facilities, by phone and by mail contact
• As required may be called to represent individuals at investigative proceedings, related civil matters, and other ancillary issues; may be assigned to handle cases involving post-conviction writs of habeas corpus and/or appellate relief
• Interviews and counsels respondents in mental health proceedings in Local or State treatment units where…