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

Efrem Neely

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,955

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,955
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,955
Hire date: 09-08-2024
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095098

Efrem Neely works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 09-08-2024 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Efrem earned $35,955 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Richard Holiman

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,955

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,955
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,955
Hire date: 11-12-2024
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095088

Richard Holiman works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 11-12-2024 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Richard earned $35,955 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Bryan Donaldson

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,955

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,955
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,955
Hire date: 03-05-2005
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095059

At AR Public Defender Commission, Bryan Donaldson serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 03-05-2005, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $35,955. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Ryan Wolf

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,900

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,900
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,900
Hire date: 02-03-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22168736

Ryan Wolf holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 02-03-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $35,900. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Chelsea Fuston

Administrative Specialist/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,610

Sub-department: State Government Services
Base pay: $35,610
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,610
Hire date: 05-18-2026
Pay grade: Sgs02
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: PAS03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22094984

Chelsea Fuston is a Administrative Specialist at AR Public Defender Commission within State Government Services. Records show a hire date of 05-18-2026. 2026 total compensation came to $35,610. They are classified at grade Sgs02.

Austen Cantrell

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 07-10-2023
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095098

Austen Cantrell is a Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 07-10-2023, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $35,514. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Christopher Mcfarlin

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 02-13-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095161

Christopher Mcfarlin is a Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 02-13-2025, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $35,514. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Cordell Mcdonald

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 03-17-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095092

Cordell Mcdonald is a Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 03-17-2025, working 0.5 FTE. 2026 total compensation came to $35,514. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Crystal Okoro

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 05-03-2026
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095061

Crystal Okoro works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 05-03-2026 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Crystal earned $35,514 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Jimmylee Hood

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 10-30-2023
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095161

Jimmylee Hood works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 10-30-2023 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Jimmylee earned $35,514 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Christopher Birch

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 12-10-2023
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22179441

Christopher Birch holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 12-10-2023 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $35,514. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Justin Downum

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 08-29-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184489

Justin Downum holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 08-29-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $35,514. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Carlen Johnson

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 01-20-2026
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22179442

At AR Public Defender Commission, Carlen Johnson serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 01-20-2026, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $35,514. They are classified at grade Spc03.

Holly Benson

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 10-06-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184498

Holly Benson holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 10-06-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $35,514. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Joshua Wilson

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 11-10-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

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

At AR Public Defender Commission, Joshua Wilson serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 11-10-2025, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $35,514. They are classified at grade Spc03.

James Barr

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 07-11-2015
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095061

James Barr works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 07-11-2015 as a 0.5 FTE employee. James earned $35,514 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Samuel Harris

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 12-22-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

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

Samuel Harris holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 12-22-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $35,514. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Matthew Hill

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 10-13-2025
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22184498

Matthew Hill works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 10-13-2025 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Matthew earned $35,514 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Ashley Lambert-Bland

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$35,514

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $35,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,514
Hire date: 05-17-2021
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

Job Classification Code: LPD03P
Pay Scale Type: Classified
Position Number: 22095088

Ashley Lambert-Bland works as a Public Defender I for AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 05-17-2021 as a 0.5 FTE employee. Ashley earned $35,514 in 2026. Their pay grade is Spc03.