Right to counsel

Key_development Question_mark

Legislation, Bypass of Parental Input into Abortion - Minor

One statute used to confer the right to counsel if requested by a minor seeking a waiver of parental notification for an abortion. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 9:17A-1.7(b) ("[t]he court shall ... advise her that she has a right to court appointed counsel, and shall, upon her request, provide her with such counsel.")  The Parental Notification for Abortion Act, however, has since been held unconstitutional, negating the need to obtain a waiver (and therefore, the need for counsel). See Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey v. Farmer, 762 A.2d 620 (N.J. 2000).

Appointment of Counsel: categorical Qualified: yes