Felony Prosecutor II - Special Victims Unit

Reporting directly to a Division Chief or Felony Prosecutor III, responsible for performing specialized professional legal work pertaining to an assigned division within in the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.

Trial Assignment

• Prepares felony cases for disposition including plea agreement, and jury and non-jury trials
• Reviews felony cases to determine quality and depth of investigation, completeness of case file, and complexity and severity of case
• Evaluates cases and determines appropriateness of plea agreements, trial, or other disposition, conducts necessary legal research, confers with parties involved including victims and law enforcement personnel, consults supervisor, and advises and negotiates resolutions with defense attorneys
• Assists in management of District Court Docket settings on pre-indictment cases, indicted cases, pre-trial settings, non-jury settings, jury trial settings, motions to revoke or adjudicate, and conducts other pre-trial and post-trial motions and/or hearings
• Handles negotiated pleas of guilty in court, prepares necessary paperwork, and confers with court and probation personnel as appropriate
• Performs advanced legal work and serves as lead and 2nd chair counsel in trials of felony cases; reviews and evaluates case files, conducts investigations, locates and interviews witnesses, presents cases to Grand Jury, performs legal research, provides discovery, visits crime scenes, examines physical evidence, confers with law enforcement, judicial personnel, and victims and victim families, and negotiates with defense attorneys
• Directs court-assigned DA Investigator in gathering records, locating and interviewing witnesses, and reviewing physical evidence
• Assists and trains less experienced prosecutors in all aspects of the evaluation and prosecution of felony criminal cases

Intake Assignment

• Ensures the proper investigation and preparation of felony criminal cases to be prosecuted in the Williamson County District Courts
• Performs the review and intake of all cases referred to the District Attorney's Office
• Assists law enforcement personnel in investigations and provides legal counsel regarding the filing of felony charges
• Drafts search and arrest warrants (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) for felony cases and investigations
• Reviews newly filed felony cases to determine quality and depth of investigation, completeness of case file, and supervises the intake and presentation of felony cases to Grand Jury for Indictment
• Directs intake-assigned DA Investigator in gathering records, locating and interviewing witnesses, and reviewing case files and physical evidence
• Advises law enforcement in the conduct of criminal investigations, ensuring adherence to applicable laws, policies, and procedures
• Advises prosecutors and law enforcement of perceived challenges to prosecution and resolutions to such challenges and regarding the appropriate charges at arrest and indictment
• Assists Trial Division prosecutors with the presentation of felony cases to the Williamson County Grand Jury
• Assists Trial Division prosecutors with the drafting of Information’s and Indictments, motions, and other legal documents necessary for filing felony criminal cases
• Coordinates, prepares, and presents training on the effective investigation and prosecution of felony offenses to law enforcement professionals and other individuals involved in investigating and prosecuting felony cases
• Serves as lead and 2nd chair counsel, at the discretion of the Intake Division Chief, in trial of a small number of felony cases; reviews and evaluates case files, conducts investigations, locates and interviews witnesses, presents cases to Grand Jury, performs legal research, provides discovery, visits crime scenes, examines physical evidence, confers with law enforcement, judicial personnel, and victims and victim families, and negotiates with defense attorneys
• Assists and trains less experienced prosecutors in all aspects of intake of felony criminal cases

Special Victims Unit (SVU) Assignment

• Assists the Intake Division with the filing of child abuse and sexual assault cases and preparing for disposition including dismissal, plea agreement and jury and non-jury trials
• Assists law enforcement personnel in child abuse and sexual assault investigations and provides legal counsel regarding the filing of felony charges
• Reviews arrest warrants (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) for child abuse and sexual assault investigations
• Assists Intake staff in reviewing newly filed child abuse and sexual assault cases to determine quality and depth of investigation, completeness of case file; prepares cases for the intake and presentation to Grand Jury for Indictment, and/or disposition
• Performs advanced legal work and serves as lead counsel in trials of major child abuse and sexual assault cases; prepares complex cases for presentation to Grand Jury, trial, or other disposition, reviews and evaluates case files, provides discovery, advises and negotiates with defense attorneys, confers with law enforcement and judicial personnel, locates witnesses, performs legal research, confers with victims and victim families, investigates incidents, visits crime scenes, and examines evidence
• Handles negotiated pleas of guilty in court, prepares necessary paperwork, and confers with court and probation personnel as appropriate for cases assigned to the SVU
• Coordinates, prepares, and presents training on the effective investigation and prosecution of child abuse and sexual assault offenses to law enforcement, Williamson County Child Advocacy Center personnel, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services personnel, medical professionals and other individuals involved in investigating and prosecuting child abuse
• Assists and trains less experienced prosecutors in the evaluation and preparation of filed child abuse sexual assault cases for plea or trial
• Assists Intake Child Abuse Prosecutor as liaison with law enforcement agencies, Community Supervision and Corrections Department, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center, other departments and agencies involved in criminal justice, and the Williamson County Defense Bar
• Attends and directs the discussion and efforts of the case review teams, acts as liaison between District Attorney's Office and Multidisciplinary team
• Directs assigned District Attorney (DA) Investigators in gathering records, locating and interviewing witnesses, and reviewing physical evidence

Appellate Assignment 

• Handles post-conviction litigation arising from felony criminal cases in the Williamson County District Courts involving preparation, presentation, and disposition of felony appeals and writ applications
• Serves as a resource for law enforcement and other prosecutors in legal matters pertaining to investigation, evidentiary procedure, and trial presentation; performs legal research and presents legal arguments before trial judges
• Analyzes writ applications and trial records and researches and analyzes applicable laws and/or court decisions to determine proper legal response
• Reviews reporters’ records, felony case files, analyzes briefs filed by defense counsel, and researches and analyzes applicable laws and/or court decisions to determine proper legal response to appeals
• Prepares legal briefs, motions, petitions for discretionary review, etc., on behalf of the State in response appeals of felony convictions and ensures proper filing of briefs and other documentation with State appellate courts; prepares and presents oral arguments to appellate courts
• Prepares and files appropriate motions and responses to procedural motions filed by defense counsel and assists other prosecutors in matters involving evidentiary and trial procedure by providing advice or performing legal research to answer inquiries and/or determine proper application of case law
• Presents legal arguments in evidentiary and trial procedure matters to trial judges on behalf of other prosecutors
• Advises other prosecutors of changes in criminal laws and procedures
• Contacts and obtains affidavits from court officials, correction officials, law enforcement personnel, etc., to support findings of fact
• Assists and trains less experienced appellate prosecutors in the evaluation and handling of felony post-conviction litigation
• Performs conviction integrity review; receives and reviews letters from pro se inmates and others expressing concerns about the fairness or integrity of various aspects of the criminal justice system, investigates and documents as appropriate, develops, implements, and maintains a process for this task, and responds and takes action based on the concerns expressed and information known and gathered
• Receives, reviews, documents, and takes action to correspondence from defendants, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Governor's Office, and others regarding parole, pardons, clemency, time cuts, and early release

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports directly to – Division Chief or Felony Prosecutor III
• Direct Reports – No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position involves prolonged sitting at a workstation, reaching, walking, twisting, bending, repetitive motions, and standing
• 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
• High-volume office and courtrooms with stressful situations
• Interaction with law enforcement agencies and persons accused or convicted of felony offenses
• Regular travel between work sites as required

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
• Occasionally responds to late night calls

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 seven (7) years licensed attorney work experience in diverse criminal matters, including four (4) years’ experience in prosecuting felony offenses; OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and specific job-related technology

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

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.) prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

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.