Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
Assistant District Attorney – Felony Court Chief
Job Title: ADA – Felony Court Chief
Department: District Attorney’s Office
Location: Kaufman County Justice Center
Supervisors:
Criminal Trial Chief,
Criminal District Attorney
Open: Immediately
FLSA Status: Exempt
Full Time: Yes
Salary: $131,915
SB22: $5,000-9,000*DOE
*SB22 supplement is funded year-to-year through the Rural Prosecutor Grant, is not part of base salary, and continuity depends on legislative action and continued grant funding.
ABOUT OUR OFFICE:
The Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney’s Office represents the State of Texas in criminal cases arising in Kaufman County. Our staff of more than 60 serves three district courts and two county courts at law, and we are committed to enforcing the law, protecting the public, and upholding the rights of crime victims. We are seeking a proven trial attorney and leader with integrity, sound judgment, and a passion for public service who will set the standard for the prosecutors assigned to the court.
SUMMARY:
The Felony Court Chief is a senior prosecutor who leads the prosecution team assigned to a felony District Court. This position requires a thorough knowledge of criminal prosecution and court procedures, substantial felony trial experience, and the ability to supervise, train, and mentor other prosecutors. The Court Chief is responsible for the overall management of the court’s felony docket, personally tries complex and high-profile felony cases, and carries out the vision and direction of the elected Criminal District Attorney.
Individuals in this position serve at the pleasure of the elected Criminal District Attorney.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership and Supervision:
- Providing leadership, supervision, and daily oversight of all prosecutors, investigators, and support staff assigned to the court
- Managing felony caseload distribution, monitoring workloads, and ensuring cases progress efficiently from intake through disposition
- Reviewing and approving charging decisions, plea recommendations, trial strategies, and case dispositions made by team members
- Conducting regular case staffings, providing guidance on legal issues, and training, mentoring, and evaluating less-experienced prosecutors in case evaluation, trial techniques, and courtroom preparedness
- Ensuring compliance with legal and ethical obligations, including Brady and Michael Morton Act discovery requirements, evidence handling, and office policies
Leadership and Supervision Con’t:
- Assisting in the onboarding of new prosecutors and staff assigned to the court
- Maintaining effective working relationships with the court, the District Clerk’s office, law enforcement agencies, the defense bar, and community stakeholders
Prosecution and Trial:
- Serving as lead trial attorney on complex, high-priority, and high-profile felony prosecutions
- Performing all aspects of felony prosecution, including intake review of cases submitted by law enforcement; preparation of indictments, pleadings, motions, affidavits, warrants, and correspondence; witness preparation; and securing and gathering evidence
- Overseeing grand jury presentations for cases arising in the court’s jurisdiction and ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of indictments
- Representing the State of Texas at jail call, dockets, motion hearings, bench and jury trials, and punishment hearings
- Formulating plea offers and engaging in meaningful plea negotiations with the defense bar
- Interviewing and assisting victims and witnesses through all stages of a case and ensuring crime victims’ rights are upheld
- Advising law enforcement agencies and officers on issues of criminal law and criminal procedure, from arrest through final disposition
- Conducting legal research, presenting arguments that are factually and legally supported, and preparing and responding to appeals as needed
- Appearing in civil proceedings as needed
- Answering inquiries from the public and other governmental agencies regarding the duties of the District Attorney’s office
- Performing other duties as assigned by the Criminal District Attorney
The list of responsibilities is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive list of all functions, tasks, and responsibilities performed in this position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience:
- Must have a J.D. or equivalent degree from an accredited law school
- Minimum five (5) years of criminal prosecution experience, including substantial felony experience
- Significant first-chair felony jury trial experience required
- Experience supervising, training, or mentoring other prosecutors preferred
- Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, the rules of evidence, and court procedures
- Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of prosecutors and support staff
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, integrity, and discretion in charging and case disposition decisions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Con’t.:
- Ability to manage a high-volume felony docket and prioritize competing deadlines
- Ability to prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, county officials, the court system, law enforcement, and the general public
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents
- Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints
- Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and jury panels
- Ability to use a personal computer, including case management, word processing, and spreadsheet programs, and standard office equipment
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
- Must be currently licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
- Must be an active member and in good standing with the Texas State Bar Association
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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Employees may occasionally be required to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily indoors in an environmentally controlled, smoke free office and courtroom setting. Availability outside normal business hours may be required for trial preparation, law enforcement consultation, or urgent matters.
**Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, you MUST submit a Kaufman County Employment Application, Resume, and Cover Letter through the Human Resources Department webpage at https://www.kaufmancounty.net/jobs.
Completed applications will be accepted and continually reviewed until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or the position is filled. So, please apply promptly! Applications will be screened, and those applications deemed best qualified will be invited to participate in an oral interview. The final candidate must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment screening process and successfully complete background and drug-screening.
Applications are available on the Kaufman County website www.kaufmancounty.net or at the Kaufman County Human Resources Office. Job offers are contingent upon successful completion of background check and pre-employment drug screening.
This bulletin is not a contract, neither express nor implied.
KAUFMAN COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
KAUFMAN COUNTY PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY