Arkansas / AR Public Defender Commission / Public Defender I

Job-title file

Public Defender I

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

74 employees hold this title in AR Public Defender Commission. Median total compensation for the role is $47,245, below the department median of $59,625.

Employees: 74
Total payroll: $4.1M
Role median: $47,245
Agency median: $59,625
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$35,514$95,031+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 74 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Public Defender I pay vs. Arkansas

Across all employers in Arkansas, the median wage for Lawyers — about 3,430 people — is $98,880. AR Public Defender Commission pays a median base salary of $59,625 for this role, 40% below that figure — about the 17th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where AR Public Defender Commission sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$49,900

$69,470

$98,880

$132,490

$220,660

AR Public Defender Commission median · $59,625

The bar is the range of annual wages for Lawyers across every employer in Arkansas, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows AR Public Defender Commission’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Lawyers — about 754,500 people — is $159,670. AR Public Defender Commission’s median base salary is 63% below that national figure, below the 10th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$78,360

$102,990

$159,670

$221,370

$351,600

AR Public Defender Commission median · $59,625

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the Arkansas range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 235 of 236 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at AR Public Defender Commission is $59,625, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare jurisdictions

Public Defender beyond Arkansas

This role is reported in 3 jurisdictions. In Arkansas, the median of $59,625 ranks #3 of 3. See Public Defender across all of Arkansas →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Florida

$223,318 · 18

Tennessee

$217,056 · 30

Median total compensation for comparable Public Defenderroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Michael Lamoureux

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$41,139

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $41,139
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,139
Hire date: 05-21-2005
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095124

Michael Lamoureux is a Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 05-21-2005, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $41,139. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Jennifer Standerfer

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$41,015

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $41,015
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,015
Hire date: 06-14-2007
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184494

Jennifer Standerfer holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 06-14-2007 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $41,015. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Joe Barrett

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,268

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,268
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,268
Hire date: 01-24-2022
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095004

At AR Public Defender Commission, Joe Barrett serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 01-24-2022, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $40,268. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Brent Miller

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,121

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,121
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,121
Hire date: 02-16-2016
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184494

Brent Miller works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 02-16-2016 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Brent earned $40,121 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Amber Farris

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 09-15-2024
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184476

At AR Public Defender Commission, Amber Farris serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 09-15-2024, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $40,000. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Brandon Pickett

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 09-15-2024
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184478

Brandon Pickett is a Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 09-15-2024, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $40,000. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Westin Meyer

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 04-03-2023
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184470

Westin Meyer holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 04-03-2023 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $40,000. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Benjamin Bowers

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 05-09-2022
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184476

Benjamin Bowers holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 05-09-2022 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $40,000. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Denese Fletcher

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 09-14-2016
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184471

Denese Fletcher holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 09-14-2016 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $40,000. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Chris Stewart

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 09-01-2024
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184473

Chris Stewart is a Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 09-01-2024, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $40,000. They are classified at grade Spc03.

James Armstrong

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 07-08-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184479

James Armstrong holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 07-08-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $40,000. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Darrell Jr

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 09-01-2024
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184473

Darrell Jr holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 09-01-2024 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $40,000. Their pay grade is Spc03.

James Teague

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 02-04-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184478

James Teague is a Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 02-04-2025, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $40,000. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Jonathan Lane

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$40,000

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $40,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,000
Hire date: 01-02-2010
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184471

At AR Public Defender Commission, Jonathan Lane serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 01-02-2010, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $40,000. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Jason Files

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$39,340

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $39,340
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,340
Hire date: 03-01-2023
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095087

At AR Public Defender Commission, Jason Files serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 03-01-2023, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $39,340. They are classified at grade Spc03.