The Federal Defender Office for the Southern District of Texas is hiring a full-time defense investigator to be stationed in Houston.
WHAT WE DO:
The Federal Defender Office is a government law office that provides legal representation to persons charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. We are appointed to represent the accused upon arrest and through the completion of all appeals, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal habeas corpus review. Charges we defend against include economic crimes, child pornography crimes, drug offenses, weapons offenses, immigration offenses, and violent crimes.
WHAT A DEFENSE INVESTIGATOR DOES:
Assist in determining the scope, timing, and direction of investigation.
Review, analyze, and summarize information and case-related documents using various technology.
Use computer hardware and software to write reports, create databases, and produce graphics and videos.
Present information in written and verbal form to attorneys and other defense team members.
Communicate openly and empathically with the accused client, the client’s family, and case-related witnesses.
Locate witnesses and conduct interviews, including defense witnesses, prosecution witnesses, and expert witnesses.
Assist in preparing clients and witnesses for testimony.
Arrange witness travel and logistics.
Locate, view, and/or retrieve relevant materials and objects for use as evidence.
Photograph, or otherwise document, persons, places, and things for pretrial, trial, and sentencing litigation.
Investigate the backgrounds of clients and case-related witnesses, including for educational, medical, psychological, familial, and criminal history related information.
Assist attorneys in pretrial, trial, and sentencing proceedings.
Give sworn testimony and assess the testimony and credibility of other witnesses.
Create sentencing videos or written submissions meant to lessen the client’s sentence or other exposure.
WHAT THE JOB REQUIRES:
A Bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA or 2.9 or better of a possible 4.0.
A minimum of three years of general experience.
A minimum of two years of specialized experience (investigative, criminal justice or comparable experience) to qualify for Assistant Investigator.
A minimum of three years of specialized experience to qualify for Investigator.
Spanish fluency.
Working knowledge of investigative principles, practices, methods, and techniques.
Experience working with diverse groups of people, such as economically disadvantaged people, people with emotional or mental health challenges, and those from disenfranchised communities.
The ability to keep confidences and protect relevant legal privileges.
The ability to use technology to review and organize information, to collect and analyze records and data, and to present information to team members, jurors, judges, and others in the criminal justice system.
The ability to advocate, as part of a team, for those accused of committing federal crimes.
The ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively.
WHAT WE HOPE FOR:
Experience working as a member of the defense team advocating for people accused of committing a crime.
A working knowledge of court procedure and rules.
A desire to stand up for those with few resources, and the demonstrated ability to do so in the face of considerable power and influence.
A commitment to the humanity in the people accused, even when the evidence against them appears strong.
Considerable resourcefulness, initiative, creativity, and compassion.
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest (mentioning announcement number H22-01) and a résumé to: Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas, 440 Louisiana Street, Suite 1350, Houston, Texas 77002-1056, Attn: Marjorie A, Meyers or email in PDF format to [email protected] For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, determined on a case by case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact Laura Dusthimer, Administrative Officer at [email protected]. Position announced October 26, 2021. Open until filled. No phone calls, please.
The Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer.
Position is subject to the availability of funds.
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
