Governor Kotek Recognizes Progress on Public Defense Crisis

Salem, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced major progress in addressing Oregon’s public defense crisis, with the number of unrepresented defendants falling 66% over the past year.

This outcome follows the transfer of the agency to the executive branch, Governor Kotek’s decision to appoint Ken Sanchagrin to lead the Oregon Public Defense Commission (OPDC), and her direction to make reducing the number of Oregonians waiting for an attorney an urgent priority.

“When people charged with crimes go without counsel, justice is delayed for defendants and for the communities harmed by crime,” Governor Kotek said. “A 66% reduction in unrepresented defendants is a turning point. The work is not done, and we will keep striving for improvement until every person needing counsel has an attorney.”

When Governor Kotek appointed Sanchagrin in April 2025, more than 4,000 defendants were without legal counsel statewide. As of August 31, 2026, there were 1,104 people waiting for an attorney, which is a drop of 66% compared with a year earlier. Two counties previously identified as being in crisis, Coos and Marion, have also resolved their backlogs. The Governor is grateful for all criminal defense attorneys working together to address Oregon’s unrepresented crisis.

This improvement was presented today by the OPDC to the Oregon legislature. Click here for the agency’s presentation.

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