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, Guardianship/Conservatorship of Adults - Protected Person
Rhode Island law requires the probate court to provide an attorney for incapacitated individuals undergoing guardianship proceedings if the respondent contests the petition in some way. R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-15-7(d). Additionally, the court shall appoint legal counsel if the respondent requests counsel, or the guardian ad litem determines it is in the respondent’s best interests. § 33-15-7(e). For the guardianship removal proceedings, however, § 33-15-18(a) states only that “[t]he ward may retain counsel for this purpose.”
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
yes
