State of Oregon Office of Public Defense Services

The Public Defense Services Commission (PDSC) is a nine-member commission appointed by the Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court that serves as the governing body for Oregon’s public defense system. The Commission provides policy direction and oversight for the administration of the system. As required by ORS 151.216(1)(b), the Commission oversees the Office of Public Defense Services (OPDS) that serves as the administrative agency responsible for carrying out the Commission’s directives and other statutorily defined duties. The legal services provided by OPDS represent an essential component of Oregon’s public safety system.

The mission of OPDS is to establish and maintain a public defense system that ensures the provision of public defense services consistent with the Oregon Constitution, the United States Constitution and Oregon and national standards of justice.