Right to counsel
While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing
appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a
statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court
decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes
precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is
discretionary).
Legislation, Sterilization
For sterilization proceedings, Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 34-B, § 7013(2) states:
The person being considered for sterilization shall be represented by counsel and provided the right and opportunity to be confronted with and to cross-examine all witnesses. The right to counsel may not be waived. If the person cannot afford counsel, the court shall appoint an attorney, not less than 20 days before the scheduled hearing, to represent the person at public expense. A reasonable fee shall be set for appointed counsel by the District Court.
If "yes",
the established right to counsel or
discretionary appointment of counsel
is
limited
in some way, including any of: the only authority
is a
lower/intermediate court decision or a city council,
not a high court or state legislature; there
has been
a subsequent case that
has
cast doubt; a statute
is
ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment
is not
for all types of individuals or proceedings
within that category.
categorical
no