Mental Health Attorney II - District Attorney - Criminal

Overview

The Mental Health Attorney II will attend involuntary civil commitment hearings, work with the jail, community diversion coordinator, and other stakeholders to divert mentally ill defendants from jail into appropriate psychiatric care. This position will prepare mental health court dockets, Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) dockets, and participate weekly in the continuity of care staffing for AOT participants. Additionally, it will conduct hearings, perform legal research, communicate with community partners and stakeholders, and train law enforcement officials on legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Presents evidence in involuntary civil commitment hearings; evaluates, investigates, and prepares for cases in the Probate courts.
• Assists in the preparation of mental health court dockets, Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) dockets, and participates in the continuity of care staffing for AOT participants.
• Collaborates with others to divert mentally ill defendants from jail into appropriate psychiatric care.
• Attends Mental Health dockets in both county Criminal Courts and the District Courts.
• Reviews case filings and documentation to assess and recommend the legal appropriateness of placements, ensuring public safety.
• Reviews and prepares direct and cross-examination of mental health experts.
• Advises, assists, and trains law enforcement officials on legal requirements.
• Attends various stakeholder collaboration meetings to assist in providing legal knowledge and recommendations regarding placements and continuity of care.
• Assists criminal prosecutors with competency hearings and helps them fight against the insanity defense.
• Regular and punctual attendance required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Supplemental Information

THE ANTICIPATED START DATE AND SALARY FOR THIS POSITION IS OCTOBER 1, 2025.

To ensure proper delivery of emails please add to your email safe list. Denton County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical and dental coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life; disability, and long term care insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays, Tuition Reimbursement, a Wellness Program, and more. Note : These benefits are not included for Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees, or any Denton County Part-Time employee. Denton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, mental or physical disability, age, national origin or veteran status. Family Medical Leave : Denton County employees who have been employed for one year and who have worked 1250 hours in the preceding year may be eligible for up to twelve weeks of FMLA leave. The FMLA provides for up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child for foster care, to care for a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition, or for an employee with a serious health condition.

Employees who will be away from work for one of these reasons should contact Human Resources for additional information. When possible, an employee should provide at least 30 days advance notice. In the case of an emergency, notification should be made as soon as possible.

Denton County

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