Oregon Public Defense Commission addresses budget and representation challenges

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety convened on March 19, 2025, to address critical challenges facing Oregon's public defense system. The meeting focused on budgetary considerations and the need for a comprehensive plan to ensure that every individual entitled to public defense receives adequate representation.

Co-Chair of the subcommittee emphasized the importance of establishing a budget that aligns with the core mission of the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC). The goal is to provide effective legal defense for all qualified defendants while ensuring accountability and value for taxpayer dollars. The committee aims to support public safety by reinforcing the roles of public defenders, law enforcement, judges, and prosecutors.

Jessica Kamphy, Director of the OPDC, and Vice Chair Susan Mandeburg presented details about the agency's operations, particularly the adult criminal division. This division contracts with public defenders to deliver trial-level representation. They discussed the Maximum Attorney Caseload (MAC) model, implemented in February 2022, which regulates the number of cases each attorney can handle to maintain quality representation.

The discussions underscored the legislative commitment to uphold the rights of Oregonians and ensure that public defense services are both effective and sustainable within the constraints of the state budget. The meeting concluded with a call for continued collaboration among various stakeholders to enhance public safety and legal representation in Oregon.