Assistant Public Defender, Mental Health Division - Misdemeanor

Assistant Public Defender, Mental Health Division - Misdemeanor

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

17026

Department

Public Defenders Office

Opening Date

07/27/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

About the Harris County Public Defender's Office:

The Harris County Public Defenders Office (HCPDO) is committed to providing client-centered, high-quality representation to indigent clients. We seek attorneys dedicated to advancing justice through thoughtful advocacy, collaboration, and compassionate representation.

Position Description:

The Harris County Public Defenders Office has an opening for an Assistant Public Defender in the Misdemeanor Section of the Mental Health Division. Attorneys in the Misdemeanor Section of the Mental Health Division represent clients with a documented history of mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), or co-occurring conditions who are charged with offenses in the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes investigators, social workers, mitigation specialists, client advocates, and support staff, attorneys provide holistic, client-centered representation that addresses both the legal and underlying needs of their clients. The ideal candidate will have personal or professional experience working with individuals with mental illness or IDD; however, such experience is preferred, not required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides zealous, client-centered representation in the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law while maintaining the highest level of professionalism.
• Conducts legal research, analyzes and interprets legal issues, and drafts motions, memoranda, and other pleadings in assigned cases.
• Collaborates with investigators, social workers, mitigation specialist, support staff, and other members of the defense team to prepare case files, gather evidence, and develop effective defense strategies.
• Develops a working knowledge of civil and criminal statutes related to mental health, competency, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Maintains regular communication with clients and, when appropriate, their family members or support systems, including frequent visits to the Harris County Jail, to ensure clients are informed and supported throughout the representation.
• Prepares cases for trial and litigates cases from charge through disposition, including examining witnesses, presenting legal arguments and evidence, conducting pre-trial conferences, hearings, plea negotiations, and trials.
• Fosters a respectful, collaborative, and team-oriented environment with clients, colleagues, court personnel, and community partners.
• Participates in office training programs, continuing legal education, and other professional development opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission of the Harris County Public Defenders Office.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

Education:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.

Licensure:

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and time management abilities.
• Ability to manage an active caseload while meeting court deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism in challenging situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to providing client-centered representation and serving indigent clients.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

• Personal or professional experience working with individuals living with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or co-occurring disorders.
• Experience handling felony criminal cases.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams or community service providers.
• Bilingual proficiency, particularly in Spanish, is a plus.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time
• Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Weekend hours as needed.

Salary:

• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
• Plus, benefits

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Do you have a Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution of law?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas? (Qualifying information must be documented in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.)

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have personal or professional experience working with individuals living with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or co-occurring disorders?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have prior criminal defense, prosecution, judicial clerkship, or other relevant litigation experience?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have experience working with multidisciplinary teams or community service providers?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you speak two languages fluently, particularly Spanish?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx