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Kristyna Wentz-Graff/OPBThe number of Oregonians without counsel has reached an all-time high. Many fear the current crisis is eroding the trust and credibility of the state鈥檚 justice system. -
Michael ClappIn a 2-1 decision, the appeals court called Oregon鈥檚 public defense system a 鈥淪ixth Amendment nightmare,鈥� referencing the part of the U.S. Constitution that requires the state to provide defense attorneys to those it charges with crimes if they cannot afford a lawyer.
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Officials have approved a plan for spending $10 million of emergency funding to address Oregon鈥檚 public defender crisis, which has left hundreds of people languishing in jails or in the community awaiting legal representation. -
Housing is the priority this session, but lawmakers also face challenges in behavioral health, education and a lack of public defenders. -
Oregon lawmakers convene the 2023 legislative session in January, and leaders from both major parties say that improving the criminal justice system 鈥� specifically the severe shortage of public defenders 鈥� is among their top priorities. -
Oregon is once again being sued over the state鈥檚 troubled public defense system that鈥檚 left hundreds of people facing criminal charges without the court-appointed attorneys that they鈥檙e entitled to under the U.S. Constitution. -
Jessica Kampfe, who heads a public defense nonprofit in Portland, would take over a state agency that has left hundreds without attorneys -
Stephen Singer, who until August was the executive director of the Office of Public Defense Services, says his firing violated state laws designed to protect whistleblowers and charged the head of the Oregon Supreme Court with violating her authority under state law. -
Steve Singer had led the Office of Public Defense Services since January. Oregon Chief Justice Martha Walters wanted him out 鈥� and ensured that happened with a rejiggered commission.
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Oregon鈥檚 public defense system is under severe strain and Chief Justice Martha Walters wrote that the 鈥渘eed for change is too urgent鈥� to delay -
鈥淭he plan I am seeking is one that proposes immediate steps that will enable [the Public Defense Services Commission] to fulfill its obligation to provide lawyers for those who have a constitutional right to representation,鈥� Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Martha Walters wrote.
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Despite a constitutional right to an attorney, approximately 500 people charged with crimes have been denied a public defender, according to a lawsuit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. -
鈥淭his is an emergency,鈥� House Speaker Dan Rayfield said Tuesday. 鈥淥regonians are languishing in jail without access to legal representation ...鈥� -
Chief Justice Martha Walters, who leads the state鈥檚 judicial branch, asked legislative leaders and Gov. Kate Brown in a letter Tuesday to help plan a summit to find solutions for public defense and public safety.
