Discretionary appointment of 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, Paternity - Petitioner or Child
In actions to establish paternity, the department of revenue, and its division of child support enforcement, which is known statutorily as "the IV-D agency," may appear on behalf of a plaintiff in an action to establish paternity. M.G.L. ch. 119A, § 3. Additionally, M.G.L. ch. 209C, § 7 provides that "In paternity actions in which custody or visitation are contested, court may appoint counsel to represent either party whenever the interests of justice require".
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.
discretionary
no
