Appellate Prosecutor II

This position requires a thorough knowledge of Texas Criminal Law, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. The individual should be familiar with concepts such as preservation of error and procedural default. The Appellate Prosecutor is primarily responsible for assisting the Criminal District Attorney with handling legal matters through the appellate process including direct appeals, writs of mandamus, and post-conviction writs of habeas corpus.  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include the following:   Appellate: Handle all aspects of criminal appellate prosecution.    Write appellate briefs, findings of fact and conclusions of law, writs of mandamus, and    responses to post–conviction writs of habeas corpus. Prepare oral arguments and present such arguments to the court of appeals  Trial: When directed, handle all aspects of criminal prosecution from intake through completion of the appellate process. When directed, represent the State in criminal and civil matters in the County Court at Law, District Court, or JP Court.  This includes jury selection and non-jury trials at the discretion of the Criminal District Attorney or the Chief Felony Prosecutor. Research and answer questions submitted by the Criminal District Attorney and all Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Expunctions/Non-disclosures: Handle all aspects of expunction and non-disclosure cases from filing through completion of the expunction/non-disclosure process, including but not limited to reviewing applications for expunction/non-disclosure, filing answers, reviewing orders from applicants, and attending contested/uncontested hearings. Research law and maintain a thorough working knowledge of law regarding expunctions and non-disclosure.   Public information Requests: Handle all aspects of open records requests pursuant to the Public Information Act, including but not limited to receiving requests from the public, preparing briefs to submit to the Attorney General’s Office, drafting response letters to requestors, and preparing cost-estimates for requestors.  Maintain an organized system to meet all deadlines required by the Public Information Act.  Represent all departments and offices of Comal County regarding such requests.  Research law and maintain a thorough working knowledge of law regarding Public Information requests.   Attendance is an essential function of the job.   Note:  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is assigned by the supervisor.  

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.  A Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university and a J.D. (law) degree are required.  The individual should possess a thorough a thorough knowledge of Texas Criminal Law, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. The person hired for this position should be familiar with concepts such as preservation of error and procedural default. Over three (3) years of experience is preferred but is not required.   CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS  The individual must have a Texas Law license and be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

LANGUAGE SKILLS  The individual should possess the ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex legal documents including opinions from the courts of appeals, appellate briefs, and pro se writs of habeas corpus. The individual should possess the ability to prepare oral arguments and present such arguments to the court of appeals.    MATHEMATICAL SKILLS  The individual should possess the ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. The individual should also possess the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.   INDEPENDENCE The individual should possess the ability to follow instructions in both written and oral form. The individual should also possess the ability to keep up with all deadlines for multiple cases pending on appeal and through writs of habeas corpus without constant supervision or micro-management.    PHYSICAL DEMANDSThis is a sedentary position.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with their hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 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 ENVIRONMENTThe essential duties described herein will ordinarily be performed within an office environment or within a courtroom. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.