Jason Benjamin Wheeless
Top-Rated Oregon Criminal Defense Attorney
Jason Wheeless is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney, bringing nearly two decades of expertise to his clients in cases ranging from DUII to homicide. Notably, he is among the few Spanish-speaking criminal defense attorneys serving communities east of the Cascades.
Jason began his legal journey in 2005 as a public defender in Pendleton, Oregon. After practicing in Oregon for a few years, he moved to Spain, where he spent a year teaching at a public high school and studying foreign policy at the Universidad de Cádiz.
Upon returning to the U.S., he settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he dedicated the next decade to representing clients in both state and federal courts. During his time in New Mexico, Jason handled a variety of serious cases, including violent felonies, immigration offenses, and habeas corpus petitions, and took on some appellate work.
In 2020, Jason returned to Central Oregon, taking on public defense roles in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties. His extensive trial and litigation experience spans adult and juvenile delinquency cases, enabling him to guide countless clients through the complexities of the criminal justice system. His deep understanding of the law and strong advocacy skills allow him to be a formidable ally for those he represents.
- Public Defender
- Pendleton County
- Current
- Criminal Defense Attorney
- Gilroy Napoli Short Law Group
- - Current
- Public Defender
- Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties
- - Current
- Oregon State Bar  # 050980
- Member
- - Current
- New Mexico
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Oregon
- Oregon State Bar
- ID Number: 050980
- Free Consultation
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written