Southern Oregon Public Defender Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
SOUTHERN OREGON PUBLIC DEFENDERS (SOPD) PROVIDES LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICES TO INDIGENT PERSONS AND FAMILIES UNDER THE STATE OF OREGON'S INDIGENT DEFENSE PROGRAM.SOPD'S MISSION IS TO REPRESENT ITS CLIENTS ZEALOUSLY AND EFFECTIVELY FROM THE INDIVIDUAL'S FIRST COURT APPEARANCE UNTIL HIS OR HER CASE IS RESOLVED, WHETHER VIA TRIAL, DISMISSAL OF THE CHARGE(S), OR PLEA AND SENTENCING.SOPDS OFFICES (ONE IN JOSEPHINE COUNTY AND ONE IN JACKSON COUNTY) HANDLE A VARIETY OF CASES RANGING FROM DUII'S AND MINOR THEFTS ALL THE WAY UP TO ROBBERIES AND MURDERS. WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCED AND DEDICATED GROUP OF LAWYERS AND STAFF MEMBERS WHO TRULY CARE ABOUT THEIR CLIENTS AND ARE EXCELLENT ADVOCATES FOR THEM IN COURT.SOPD STRIVES TO MAINTAIN A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE JUDGES AND COURT STAFF, JAIL STAFF, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, AND OTHER CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WHO PRACTICE IN JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES. WE BELIEVE THAT KEEPING
- Income
- $5.5 million
- Spending
- $5.2 million
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $197,322, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $5.0 million spent. PROVIDED LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICES TO INDIGENTS UNDER THE STATE OF OREGON'S INDIGENT DEFENSE PROGRAM.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.