Oregon public defense backlog drops 66%, Governor Kotek says
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon’s public defense crisis is showing signs of improvement, with the number of defendants waiting for an attorney dropping 66% over the past year, according to Governor Tina Kotek.
When Kotek appointed Ken Sanchagrin to lead the Oregon Public Defense Commission in April 2025, more than 4,000 defendants statewide were without legal counsel.
As of August 31, 2026, that number had fallen to 1,104.
Kotek said the reduction follows the transfer of the Oregon Public Defense Commission to the executive branch, her appointment of Sanchagrin and her direction to make reducing the number of unrepresented defendants a top priority.
“When people charged with crimes go without counsel, justice is delayed for defendants and for the communities harmed by crime,” Kotek said. “A 66% reduction in unrepresented defendants is a turning point.”
Two counties previously identified as being in crisis — Coos and Marion — have also resolved their backlogs.
Kotek credited criminal defense attorneys across Oregon for working together to address the shortage of legal representation.
“The work is not done, and we will keep striving for improvement until every person needing counsel has an attorney,” Kotek said.
The Oregon Public Defense Commission presented the latest progress to the Oregon Legislature on Wednesday.
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