MEDIA STATEMENT statement on decline in unrepresented oregonians
Public Defenders of Oregon, a coalition of 12 nonprofit public defense firms, released the following statement from PDO Board Chair and SW Oregon Public Defenders Executive Director Stacey Lowe in response to the Oregon Public Defense Commission’s report on unrepresented Oregonians:
“Public Defenders of Oregon welcomes today's news that more Oregonians are getting the timely legal counsel guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment. Thanks to the hard work of front-line workers in public defense and increased state investment, we have made significant progress. We must also recognize that at least 1,104 vulnerable Oregonians still lack their Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Like the right to vote or to speak freely, Oregonians go to great lengths to protect our constitutional rights. But a right is meaningless without the resources to exercise it.
Addressing the unrepresented crisis is a shared responsibility. As of late 2024, Oregon needed an estimated 45% more attorneys to fully address the Adult Criminal Attorney shortage. We're asking the Oregon Legislature in 2027 to ensure the more than 90,000 Oregonians facing criminal charges in 2027 have a timely, high-quality defense by fully funding all public defense services.
We're also asking the courts, prosecutors, and other system partners to use their discretion to maximize proven, cost-effective alternatives to incarceration and prosecution, such as drug and mental health courts and diversion. These programs are critical for both short- and long-term public safety, and provide better outcomes for our communities. These actions will free up public defenders to focus on the most serious cases, protect constitutional rights, improve outcomes, and save taxpayer dollars.”
About Public Defenders of Oregon
Public Defenders of Oregon (PDO) is a coalition of 12 nonprofit public defense offices providing legal services for Oregonians who cannot afford a private attorney. We serve 20 urban, suburban and rural counties and represent 34% of the public defense workforce. Our offices handle more than 35,000 cases a year, including misdemeanors, felonies, juvenile justice, family dependency and civil commitment.
