Essential Job Functions for Indigent Defense Coordinator

Regarding court appointments:

  • Travel to the McLennan County Jail twice daily to interview defendants who request a court appointed attorney
  • Enter defendant’s financial information to determine if the defendant is in indigent
  • Appoint the next attorney available from the rotation list if defendant is indigent
  • Send notice of appointment to the defense attorneyand district attorney on unfiled cases
  • Send notice of appointment to the defense attorney, district attorney, the appropriate court, and the appropriate clerk’s office on filed or indicted cases
  • Monitor the jail list to insure that inmates have proper representation
  • Weekly interview defendants in jail who did not request an attorney at time of arrest
  • Interview defendants on bond in office and enter defendant’s financial information to determine if the defendant is in indigent
  • Appoint the next attorney available from the rotation list if defendant is indigent
  • Interview defendants in court when requested by the judge enter defendant’s financial information to determine if the defendant is in indigent
  • Appoint the next attorney available from the rotation list if defendant is indigent
  • Maintain all financial affidavits and orders of appointment on unfiled offenses until case is filed or indicted
  • Send orders of appointment to the appropriate clerk’s officewhen case when case is filed or indicted

Regarding attorney maintenance:

  • Receive, document, and maintain applications from attorneys on court appointment list
  • Send attorneys’ applications to judge for approval
  • Receive, document, and maintain CLE hours from attorneys on court appointment list
  • Document reports of attorney non-compliance and forward same to appropriate judge
  • Remove or suspend attorneys from appointment list according to judges’ instructions
  • Notify attorneys of actions by judges

Regarding information for judges:

  • Schedule monthly meetings with judges to discuss problems or questions
  • Report complaints from defendants about their court appointed attorneys to the appropriate judge
  • Report judges’ findings on complaints to the court appointed attorneys

Regarding requests for investigators, psychiatrist exams, and psychologist exams:

  • Receive, document, and maintain all requests for appointment of investigators on unfiled offenses
  • Send all requests for appointment of investigators on unfiled offenses to the appropriate court for judge’s approval
  • Send orders of appointment investigators to the appropriate clerk’s office when case is filed or indicted
  • Receive, document, and maintain all requests for appointment of psychiatrist or psychologist on unfiled offenses
  • Send all requests for appointment of psychiatrist or psychologist on unfiled offenses to the appropriate court
  • Send all requests for appointment of psychiatrist or psychologist on unfiled offenses to the appropriate court for judge’s approval
  • Receive and maintain reports from psychiatrist or psychologist on unfiled offenses
  • Send reports from psychiatrist or psychologist on unfiled offenses to the appropriate clerk’s office when case is filed or indicted

Regarding non-indigent defendants with unfiled cases:

  • Receive, document, and maintain letters of representation on unfiled offenses
  • Send letters of representation to the appropriate clerk’s office when case is filed or indicted

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for Indigent Defense Coordinator

Required Education and Experience:

  • Minimum five (5) years of criminal legal experience is required
  • Minimum five (5) years of experience in responsible clerical procedures
  • Must have substantial experience in criminal court system and office management
  • Must have knowledge of criminal court system and office management processes
  • Minimum education required is two years associate degree in criminal justice, public administration, or related field
  • Experience above the minimum required five (5) years in criminal justice, court administration, or legal work in criminal courts may substitute for the above educational qualification on a year to year basis

Required Skills

  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  • Ability to interact with persons charged with criminal offenses in person and on the phone, in jail, or in the courtroom
  • Ability to interact with persons charged with criminal offenses
  • Ability to work effectively with and tactfully communicate with difficult and/or hostile individuals and render assistance to individuals of below average mental capacity
  • Ability to exercise tact, courtesy, and discretion in contacts with court officials, attorneys, county employees, criminal defendants, and public
  • Ability to work independently, quickly, accurately, and to work within time limitations
  • Ability to prepare budget and work within budget limits
  • Become knowledgeable of the McLennan County Indigent Defense Plan and The Texas Fair Defense Act
  • Must have good organizational skills
  • Must be proficient in use of Microsoft Office products
  • Typing – Minimum 50 wpm
  • Basic mathematic ability
  • Ability to operate standard office equipment
  • Be eligible to become a Notary Public
  • Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License with reliable transportation

Working Conditions:

Majority of work is indoors in office environment. However, this position also has daily trips to the McLennan County Jail. Work at the jail includes contact with inmates without close supervision from the correctional officers.

Job Description and Requirements

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