‘No sense of justice’: Hundreds cycling through Oregon courts without public defenders

Public defender shortage mounts

Twin sets of doors lead to the misdemeanor and felony arraignment courtrooms inside the Multnomah County Justice Center.Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

Thomas Ahern is a man of many problems.

He’s homeless, broke, bleeding from cuts and scrapes, and according to authorities in Portland and Washington County, has been caught inside stolen cars twice since late July — both leading to felony cases.

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