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 2

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.

Scott Kadien

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$38,145

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $38,145
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,145
Hire date: 08-06-2023
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

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

Scott Kadien holds the role of Public Defender I at AR Public Defender Commission within Specialized Services. Their hire date on record is 08-06-2023 as a 0.5 FTE employee. In 2026, their total compensation was $38,145. Their pay grade is Spc03.

Benjamin Catterlin

Public Defender I/AR Public Defender Commission

2026 total comp

$38,027

Sub-department: Specialized Services
Base pay: $38,027
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,027
Hire date: 07-05-2017
Pay grade: Spc03
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 0.5

Source-specific fields

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

At AR Public Defender Commission, Benjamin Catterlin serves as a Public Defender I within Specialized Services. Records show a hire date of 07-05-2017, working 0.5 FTE. Their 2026 pay totaled $38,027. They are classified at grade Spc03.