Right to counsel

R.C. § 2151.85(B)(2) states that in judicial proceedings for minors seeking a waiver of the parental consent requirement for abortion, "[i]f the complainant has not retained an attorney, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent her."  The same statute also requires appointment of a GAL for the minor, and adds that "[i]f the guardian ad litem is an attorney admitted to the practice of law in this state, the court also may appoint him to serve as the complainant's attorney." 

Notably, R.C. § 2151.85 was held wholly unconstitutional by a trial-level court for reasons related to the notice provisions. In re Doe, 57 Ohio Misc. 2d 20 (C.P. 1990).