INDIGENT DEFENSE COORDINATOR

Job Title: INDIGENT DEFENSE COORDINATOR

Terms: Full-time Exempt

Salary/rate: Annual Salary $80,611

Anticipated start date: April 1, 2025

Requirements: Associate/bachelor’s degree or commensurate work experience in government, finance, or legal field.

Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred

Job Description

An Indigent Defense Coordinator is responsible for determining indigency of defendants accused of criminal offenses ranging from Misdemeanor B to Felony Capital Murder charges as well as ensuring the timely appointment of counsel to those defendants who qualify for court appointed counsel. The Indigent Defense Coordinator works under the direction, supervision, and discretion of the Judges of the criminal courts of record of Ellis County, currently the 443rd Judicial District Court, County Court of Law #2, and County Court at Law #3. This position will serve as one of two Indigent Defense Coordinators in compliance with the District Court and County Courts at Law Indigent Defense Plans.

Code of Conduct

Judges have an expectation that the Indigent Defense Coordinator will follow the canons from the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration. See Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3 section B (6) and C (2).

The main responsibilities of the Indigent Defense Coordinator include but are not limited to:

• Interviewing Defendants:
  
  

Conduct financial interviews, review requests for counsel, perform defendant financial budget assessments to determine indigency of defendants. Duties are conducted in multiple locations, including but not limited to in-office interviews, face-to-face interviews with inmates in-custody at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center, during in-court dockets, and out-of-county requests.

• Appointment of attorneys:
  
  

Timely appointment of attorneys in a fair, neutral, and non-discriminatory manner and in accordance with the Indigent Defense Plan for each court. Communicate with defense attorneys in a professional, timely and courteous manner. Process applications via TechShare Indigent Defense software and make eligibility determinations. Forward relevant information to assigned attorney, District Attorney’s Office, District Clerk, and/or County Clerk. Update LGS with court-appointed attorney information and periodic resetting of court dates.

• Courtroom support:
  
  

Timely attendance of required court proceedings and required meetings, managing and maintaining attorney appointment lists along with supporting documentation. Assist the criminal courts with administrative tasks as needed.

• Administrative support and Record keeping:
  
  

Assist with preparation of the departmental budget to present to the Judges. Ensure timely attorney submission of practice time reports to the TIDC. Assist with the biennial update of the Indigent Defense Plans for the District Court and County Courts at Law.

• Liaison with court personnel and other agencies:
  
  

Initiate and answer email and phone calls from Elected Officials and other County employees, magistrate judges, attorneys, outside counties, defendants, and their families. Forward messages from inmates to defense counsel and the State. Assist in the 16.22 process by informing the Ellis County Behavioral Health Director of any individual in custody who the IDC suspects of having a mental illness or intellectual disability.

Knowledge/Skills/Ability

Conduct oneself in a professional manner.

Comply with the canons from the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration.

Possess effective time management skills.

Ability to efficiently multi-task.

Ability to use discretion, tact, and judgement.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals.

Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Proficient computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs and other office-related equipment.

Basic math and finance skills.

Ability to accurately maintain records.

Professional written and verbal skills.

General knowledge of the Court system.

Ability to maintain professional working relationships with judges, elected officials, county officials, county employees, attorneys, and detention officers.

Position requires frequent direct contact with people accused of and/or convicted of criminal offenses, including visiting inmates at the jail, some of whom may suffer from mental health issues and/or drug dependency.

To apply for this position, you MUST submit an Ellis County Employment Application, Resume, and Cover Letter to:

ELLIS COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES

302 N MONROE, STE. 338

WAXAHACHIE, TX. 75165

Applications may be downloaded from the website on completed on-line

ELLIS COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ELLIS COUNTY PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY