Capital Area Private Defender Service

Senior Magistration Attorney

The Capital Area Private Defender Service (“CAPDS”) is a 501(c)(3) organization charged with improving the quality of indigent criminal defense in Travis County through supporting, managing, and training assigned counsel. We are a Managed Assigned Counsel program that oversees the majority of indigent defense cases in Travis County; we work closely with attorneys to enhance the quality of indigent defense services and obtain best outcomes for clients. CAPDS uses a holistic defense approach to representation, placing the client at the center of the representation.

We are seeking a full-time Attorney to work in our CAFA division. CAFA (Counsel at First Appearance) is a new program within Travis County.  This program provides defense counsel for recently arrested clients during the 15.17 hearing (also known as magistration.) This attorney would be responsible for representing clients and supervising panel attorneys on both the 6:00AM to 3:00PM shift and the 2:00PM to 11:00PM CAFA shift. Working some weekend days will be required as shifts run 7 days a week and will also include some holidays.   This position would work with both the CAPDS Director of Legal Services and the Director of Magistration Services.

The attorney’s primary responsibility would be conducting bond hearings for clients at one of the CAFA shifts staffed by CAPDS attorneys. The attorney would also be responsible for assigning the cases to each CAPDS attorney present and aiding them in representing their clients. The attorney would also be the point of contact with other agencies involved with CAFA to solve any problems that arise during the shift.  Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required.

Primary responsibilities:

Ability to perform bond hearings with a high degree of competence.
Consult with, advise, and aid panel attorneys representing clients at CAFA shifts.
Consult with panel members regarding defense strategies for bond hearings.
Observe panel members during CAFA for the purpose of performance reviews and evaluations.
Ability to interact and liaison with multiple departments throughout the county.
Familiarity with the Professional Rules of Conduct and ability to spot conflicts.
Stay up to date on relevant case law and procedural changes and advise attorneys of such.
Assist in the continued development and dissemination of standards and guidelines, procedures, and polices that ensure quality indigent defense services in Travis County.
Support the Magistration Services Team in the development and training of panel attorneys and with monitoring the quality of defense representation.
Receive, investigate and respond to inquiries and comments from members of the public, clients, and from members of the judiciary.
Assist the directors with duties as delegated.
Licensed attorney and member in good standing with the state bar.
Member of Texas Bar or ability to waive into the Texas Bar.
Demonstrated commitment to indigent defense.
Demonstrated commitment to holistic defense.
Demonstrated knowledge of criminal law (pre-trial, trial, & appeal), procedure, and practice.


Additional responsibilities:

Attend training and education programs to maintain and enhance skills required in the practice of criminal law. Must complete a minimum of 25 hours of CLE per year.
CLE must relate to criminal law, ethics, and/or law office management/administration.
Work-related travel as necessary.


Salary between $85,000 - $119,000, commensurate with experience. Compensation includes employer-paid health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurances, as well as an employer-funded retirement plan and generous leave policy.

CAPDS is an equal opportunity employer that values equity and diversity.

Please apply by sending your cover letter, resume, and list of three references in one document, addressed to Ryan Crisler, Director of Magistration Services, to: ryan@capds.org. Place “Magistration Attorney” in the subject line. Position is open until filled. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Type your paragraph here.