General Summary:

Position Description

The Felony #2 Prosecutor (Prosecutor) in the Conviction Integrity Unit works collaboratively and is responsible for assisting the Conviction Integrity Unit Chief. The Prosecutor reviews and litigates motions for post-conviction DNA testing under Chapter 64 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, investigates claims of actual innocence/wrongful conviction, assists with mass disclosure notification when a mass disclosure event has been deemed appropriate for mass notification, and assists in other prosecutorial duties as directed by the Chief prosecutor.

The Prosecutor is expected to be present and available for the forty (40) hour work week and if necessary, work additional hours in order to complete the required tasks. The Prosecutor collaborates with other Conviction Integrity Units as well as the Texas Forensic Science Commission in order to stay apprised of evolutions and/or changes in forensic science and changes in legislation which could possibly affect the integrity of past and future convictions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Post-Conviction DNA Testing

The Prosecutor litigates and reviews motions for post-conviction DNA testing under Chapter 64 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Prosecutor will work closely with governmental agencies, innocence projects and the defense bar to inquire into the existence of evidence available for post-conviction DNA testing. The Prosecutor will coordinate and confer with the Conviction Integrity Unit Investigator, local laboratories, and defense attorneys in order to draft and file with the Court the appropriate pleadings to effectuate the resolution of cases.

Actual Innocence Claims

The Prosecutor will investigate and review, from a neutral standpoint, claims of actual innocence that are received from outside sources (i.e.: innocence projects, law schools, law firms) and convicted defendants. The Prosecutor will obtain relevant law enforcement and laboratory documentation, review historical trial court data and conduct interviews and scene visits when necessary to determine if there has been a wrongful conviction and ensure that the administration of justice occurred in the resolution of each case reviewed.

Mass Disclosure

1. Prosecutor will work with the IT Division to determine cases affected by the identified issue(s). The Prosecutor will assist in issuing mass notification to the Office, affected unrepresented defendants, attorneys of record, the Harris County Public Defender’s Office and the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, when/if mass disclosure issues have been deemed appropriate for mass notification. When deemed appropriate by the District Attorney, the Prosecutor will assist in issuing notification to the last known attorney(s) on the affected case(s), the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs and the Texas Forensic Science Commission.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Experience

Education, Experience, Training Requirements – The Prosecutor in the Conviction Integrity Unit should have a minimum of three (3) years of work experience within the Office, or, at least five (5) years of experience as an attorney. The Prosecutor should be prepared to work closely and collaboratively with outside agencies to determine that the right result occurred in each case reviewed.

Physical Requirements – light lifting

DEADLINE TO APPLY: June 27, 2025