Arkansas / AR Public Defender Commission / Public Defender III

Job-title file

Public Defender III

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

69 employees hold this title in AR Public Defender Commission. Median total compensation for the role is $114,390, above the department median of $59,625.

Employees: 69
Total payroll: $6.4M
Role median: $114,390
Agency median: $59,625
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$29,362$127,798+

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

How total compensation varies among the 69 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 III 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

Toney Brasuell

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$58,481

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $58,481
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,481
Hire date: 10-12-2015
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095069

Toney Brasuell is a Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 10-12-2015, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $58,481. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Larry Cook

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,913

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,913
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,913
Hire date: 07-18-2005
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095110

At AR Public Defender Commission, Larry Cook serves as a Public Defender III within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 07-18-2005, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $57,913. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Aubrey Barr

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,913

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,913
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,913
Hire date: 11-15-2010
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095110

Aubrey Barr holds the role of Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 11-15-2010 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $57,913. Their pay grade is Spc08.

Derric Mcfarland

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,729

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,729
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,729
Hire date: 02-17-2015
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22162543

Derric Mcfarland holds the role of Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 02-17-2015 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $57,729. Their pay grade is Spc08.

John Pickett

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 12-05-2016
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095162

John Pickett is a Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 12-05-2016, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Gary Tinkes

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 04-14-2020
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22162543

At AR Public Defender Commission, Gary Tinkes serves as a Public Defender III within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 04-14-2020, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Clinton Dewitt

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 09-29-2024
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184483

Clinton Dewitt is a Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 09-29-2024, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Stephen Lunde

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 04-18-2022
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095082

At AR Public Defender Commission, Stephen Lunde serves as a Public Defender III within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 04-18-2022, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Don Etherly

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 07-11-2000
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095130

Don Etherly works as a Public Defender III for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 07-11-2000 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Don earned $57,195 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc08.

Erin Lewis

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 12-18-2019
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095075

At AR Public Defender Commission, Erin Lewis serves as a Public Defender III within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 12-18-2019, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Marion Jr.

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 03-17-2025
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095075

Marion Jr. works as a Public Defender III for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 03-17-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Marion earned $57,195 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc08.

Louis Loyd

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 02-06-2024
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095133

Louis Loyd holds the role of Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 02-06-2024 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $57,195. Their pay grade is Spc08.

Jess Honeycutt

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 11-16-2020
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095111

At AR Public Defender Commission, Jess Honeycutt serves as a Public Defender III within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 11-16-2020, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Charles Friday

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 12-15-2019
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22162544

Charles Friday is a Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 12-15-2019, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Joshua Potter

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 04-22-2019
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095108

Joshua Potter is a Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 04-22-2019, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Joseph Jackson

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 04-30-2024
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095082

Joseph Jackson is a Public Defender III at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 04-30-2024, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Christopher Ethridge

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 10-11-2010
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095111

At AR Public Defender Commission, Christopher Ethridge serves as a Public Defender III within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 10-11-2010, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $57,195. They are classified at grade Spc08.

Kent Mclemore

Public Defender III/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$57,195

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $57,195
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,195
Hire date: 01-07-2024
Pay grade: Spc08
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD05P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22162544

Kent Mclemore works as a Public Defender III for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 01-07-2024 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Kent earned $57,195 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc08.