Right to counsel

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Litigation, Civil Contempt in Family Court

The Alaska Supreme Court found a right to counsel for indigent defendants in civil contempt proceedings involving nonsupport. Otton v. Zaborac, 525 P.2d 537, 538 (Alaska 1974).  It relied on the due process clauses of both the federal and state constitutions at the same time, and it is unclear whether there is an independent state constitutional ground that would surive the U.S. Supreme Court's negative ruling in Turner v. Rogers.

Appointment of Counsel: categorical Qualified: yes