Arkansas / AR Public Defender Commission

Agency file

AR Public Defender Commission

Source file: Arkansas — State Employee Compensation / ingested Jun 18, 2026

The AR Public Defender Commission handles legal functions of government — prosecution, legal advice, and representing the state in court.

In 2026, this agency had 389 employees with median total compensation of $59,625; the highest distinct record was $182,485.

Year: 2026
Total payroll: $28.4M
Employees: 389
Median total: $59,625
Highest record: $182,485

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$21,486$151,435+

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

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 389 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($59,625) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $72,981 (100%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $0 (0%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$40,000

$51,343

$59,625

$88,790

$127,085

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $127,085 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $40,000. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Public Defender II

93 · $53,152

Public Defender I

74 · $47,245

Public Defender III

69 · $114,390

Legal Support Specialist

63 · $52,137

Chief Public Defender I

33 · $135,704

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Joe Winningham

Chief Public Defender II/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$138,412

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $138,412
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,412
Hire date: 08-18-2014
Pay grade: Spc10
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD02C
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22079205

Joe Winningham is a Chief Public Defender II at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 08-18-2014. 2026 total compensation came to $138,412. They are classified at grade Spc10.

Brandy Turner

Chief Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$137,668

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $137,668
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,668
Hire date: 10-22-2001
Pay grade: Spc09
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD01C
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22142754

Brandy Turner works as a Chief Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 10-22-2001. Brandy earned $137,668 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc09.

Julia Jackson

Chief Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$137,668

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $137,668
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,668
Hire date: 03-06-1992
Pay grade: Spc09
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD01C
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095155

Julia Jackson holds the role of Chief Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 03-06-1992. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,668. Their pay grade is Spc09.

Daniel Feild

Chief Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$137,592

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $137,592
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,592
Hire date: 01-04-2016
Pay grade: Spc09
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD01C
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22133556

Daniel Feild works as a Chief Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 01-04-2016. Daniel earned $137,592 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc09.

Eva Houston

Chief Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$135,704

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $135,704
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,704
Hire date: 06-26-2000
Pay grade: Spc09
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD01C
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22079212

Eva Houston is a Chief Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 06-26-2000. 2026 total compensation came to $135,704. They are classified at grade Spc09.

Fernando Padilla

Chief Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$135,704

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $135,704
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,704
Hire date: 01-02-1998
Pay grade: Spc09
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD01C
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22158996

Fernando Padilla is a Chief Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 01-02-1998. 2026 total compensation came to $135,704. They are classified at grade Spc09.

Michael Roberson

Chief Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$135,704

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $135,704
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,704
Hire date: 09-23-2011
Pay grade: Spc09
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD01C
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095156

Michael Roberson is a Chief Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 09-23-2011. 2026 total compensation came to $135,704. They are classified at grade Spc09.