/tags/public-defenders Public defenders en-US Copyright Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:10:54 GMT /law-and-justice/2025-04-18/kotek-fires-head-of-troubled-oregon-public-defense-agency Despite leadership changes and legislative fixes, Oregon has for years failed to provide attorneys to everyone charged with crimes. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 13:10:54 GMT /law-and-justice/2025-04-18/kotek-fires-head-of-troubled-oregon-public-defense-agency Conrad Wilson, Lauren Dake /law-and-justice/2025-03-15/why-oregon-is-still-so-short-on-public-defenders The 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’s justice system. Sat, 15 Mar 2025 13:58:25 GMT /law-and-justice/2025-03-15/why-oregon-is-still-so-short-on-public-defenders Lauren Dake /law-and-justice/2024-05-31/appellate-court-affirms-ruling-releasing-defendants-from-jail-who-dont-get-public-defender In a 2-1 decision, the appeals court called Oregon’s public defense system a “Sixth Amendment nightmare,” 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. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:16:33 GMT /law-and-justice/2024-05-31/appellate-court-affirms-ruling-releasing-defendants-from-jail-who-dont-get-public-defender Conrad Wilson /law-and-justice/2023-11-16/federal-appeals-court-temporarily-blocks-oregon-judges-public-defense-order A federal judge ruled earlier this month that Oregon jails must release people from jail if they haven't been assigned a lawyer after seven days. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put a temporary hold on that order. Thu, 16 Nov 2023 14:21:13 GMT /law-and-justice/2023-11-16/federal-appeals-court-temporarily-blocks-oregon-judges-public-defense-order Conrad Wilson /law-and-justice/2023-11-03/federal-judge-gives-oregon-7-days-to-find-lawyers-for-defendants-or-release-them-from-jail “The problem is institutional, and it is statewide,” U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane wrote. Sat, 04 Nov 2023 02:01:30 GMT /law-and-justice/2023-11-03/federal-judge-gives-oregon-7-days-to-find-lawyers-for-defendants-or-release-them-from-jail Conrad Wilson /law-and-justice/2023-10-14/oregon-supreme-court-dismisses-case-challenging-state-public-defense-system The Oregon Supreme Court late Friday dismissed a case designed to force changes in the state’s troubled public defense system. Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:48:42 GMT /law-and-justice/2023-10-14/oregon-supreme-court-dismisses-case-challenging-state-public-defense-system Conrad Wilson /law-and-justice/2023-10-06/public-defender-at-heart-of-oregon-supreme-court-case-changes-jobs-prompting-state-questions Attorneys with the Oregon Department of Justice say a case that cuts at the heart of the state’s overwhelmed public defense system – and that’s currently before the Oregon Supreme Court – could be moot because the attorney at the center of the debate has left his job. But they’ve stopped short of asking the justices to toss out the case. Sat, 07 Oct 2023 00:34:44 GMT /law-and-justice/2023-10-06/public-defender-at-heart-of-oregon-supreme-court-case-changes-jobs-prompting-state-questions Conrad Wilson /law-and-justice/2023-09-19/oregons-public-defense-crisis-lands-at-state-supreme-court A group of public defenders from Marion County asked the Oregon Supreme Court whether trial court judges can force an attorney to take an indigent defendant’s case. The justices will have to balance the legal protections for a person charged with a crime against the ethical obligations of a public defender. Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:54:11 GMT /law-and-justice/2023-09-19/oregons-public-defense-crisis-lands-at-state-supreme-court Conrad Wilson /law-and-justice/2023-08-16/federal-judge-to-order-release-from-jail-for-anyone-denied-an-attorney-in-washington-county In the latest development in Oregon's public defender crisis, U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane Tuesday ruled that anyone held in the Washington County jail without a court-appointed lawyer will be released 10 days after their initial court appearance. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 00:53:29 GMT /law-and-justice/2023-08-16/federal-judge-to-order-release-from-jail-for-anyone-denied-an-attorney-in-washington-county Conrad Wilson /law-and-justice/2023-08-03/federal-public-defender-asks-for-dismissal-of-charges-against-oregonians-without-a-lawyer Oregon’s Federal Public Defender filed a class action lawsuit arguing people charged with state crimes in Washington County are being unlawfully held because they’ve not been provided a lawyer. Fri, 04 Aug 2023 01:13:20 GMT /law-and-justice/2023-08-03/federal-public-defender-asks-for-dismissal-of-charges-against-oregonians-without-a-lawyer Conrad Wilson