RESOURCES
The resources below offer a comprehensive view of challenges, proposed solutions, and evolving standards in both Oregon and across the country. We invite you to explore these materials for deeper insights into the state of public defense.
Resources on Public Defense
Oregon Reports, Studies, & Opinions
“State of the Sixth: Oregon," Sixth Amendment Center
“The Oregon Project: An Analysis of the Oregon Public Defense System and Attorney Workloads Standards,” American Bar Association
Oregon Bar Ethics Opinion 2007-178
“2024 Public Defense Retention,” Oregon Public Defense Commission
National Analysis
American Bar Association
RAND
SIXTH AMENDMENT CENTER
National Institute of Justice
Public Defense News
The Guardian: “Falsely charged with a crime, no way to fight it: inside Oregon’s court crisis” - April 28, 2026
Salem Reporter: “Marion County judges will start deciding if public defenders have time to take new cases”- March 14, 2025
Salem Reporter: “Marion County judges will start deciding if public defenders have time to take new cases”- March 14, 2025
Oregon Public Broadcasting: “Multiple criminal cases against PSU protesters dropped after attorneys discover footage” - Feb 21, 2025
ABA Journal: “Defenseless: Lack of public defenders creates a crisis for indigent clients and increased caseloads for lawyers” - Aug 1, 2024
Willamette Week: “A Public Defender Couldn’t Reach Her Client Inside the Dysfunctional Multnomah County Jail” - July 26, 2023
Associated Press: “Pandemic pushes Oregon’s public defender system to the brink” - May 10, 2022
KGW: “Oregon chief justice asks lawyers to act as public defenders” - Jan 28, 2022
KGW: “Every attorney is doing the work of 3 attorneys': Report shows Oregon needs more public defenders” - Jan 25, 2022
