Dominican Republic Public Defense Office sees rising demand

The National Office of Public Defense (ONDP) in the Dominican Republic has experienced a significant increase in demand for legal assistance. Between 2021 and 2025, the institution received 121,746 new cases and provided 595,562 services to users and their families.

Official statistics show that annual case filings rose from 20,768 in 2021 to 26,232 in 2025, representing a 26.3% increase. In the first six months of 2026, an additional 12,498 cases were recorded. The highest concentration of files in 2025 was located in the province of Santo Domingo, followed by Santiago and the National District.

To address the growing need for free legal aid for low-income individuals, the institution has acknowledged a requirement for approximately 250 additional public defenders.