Major developments
This page lists all of the most recent developments on civil right to counsel across the country. These could be newly created rights to counsel, significant publications, public events, advocacy efforts, or other things that don't fit into a neat category.
Texas enacts law expanding right to counsel for parents
06/02/2015
A Texas law enacted in 2015 provides for appointment of counsel for unknown/unlocatable parents and provides earlier notice to other parents.
Missouri debtor's prison case, including right to counsel claim, moves forward
05/26/2015
A federal case alleging the City of Ferguson is jailing indigent debtors without a hearing or counsel has survived a motion to dismiss.
Other countries to U.S.: provide counsel in civil proceedings
05/15/2015
During a periodic review of the U.S. by the U.N. Human Rights Council, countries urged the U.S. to provide counsel in certain civil cases.
Fed court: counsel must be appointed earlier in child welfare process
03/30/2015
A federal court found that a South Dakota court's practice of not appointing counsel at 48-hour child removal hearings violated due process.
MA Supreme Court: parents have a right to counsel in abuse/neglect cases
02/10/2015
The MA high court has said that the constitutional right to counsel applies to abuse/neglect cases.
ABA: all unaccompanied minors should get counsel
02/09/2015
ABA Resolution 113 calls for the appointment of counsel for unaccompanied minors in all immigration proceedings.
Fed judge laments lack of right to counsel, recuses himself for helping pro se litigant
01/15/2015
A federal judge felt he had to recuse himself after helping a pro se litigant, and pointed to the lack of a right to counsel as the problem.
California Bar task force calls for right to counsel in 4 civil areas
01/01/2015
A report by the Civil Justice Strategies Task Force of the California Bar recommended that the state bar support a right to counsel in 4 areas.
Montana parents have constitutional right to counsel in adoptions, says high court
12/02/2014
The Supreme Court of Montana held the state's failure to provide counsel in private adoption cases violated the state's equal protection clause.
Two MD legislative commissions urge phased-in RTC in DV, and custody pilot
12/01/2014
One Maryland legislative task force and one commission urge the state to adopt a phased-in right to counsel in DV cases and a custody pilot.
NY Times features NCCRC, nationwide push for civil right to counsel
11/22/2014
The New York Times discussed the nationwide push for civil legal aid and highlighted the NCCRC as well as efforts by some of its participants.
Minnesota Supreme Court essay contest focuses on civil right to counsel
11/21/2014
The Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society's 2014 essay contest for high school students was about civil right to counsel.
Alabama fed court settlement establishes RTC in ability-to-pay cases
11/17/2014
A federal district court approved a settlement requiring counsel for indigent debtors at ability-to-pay hearings.
MA Report discusses those turned away for legal aid, and benefits of counsel
10/01/2014
The BBA Task Force to Expand Civil Legal Aid's report discusses how many eligible clients are turned away and the economic benefits of counsel.
State supreme court justices talk civil right to counsel
09/15/2014
At the LSC 40th Anniversary event, several state supreme court justices spoke favorably about the right to counsel in civil cases.
GA high court says some civil contempt cases might require counsel
09/01/2014
In response to a class action, the Supreme Court of Georgia said there might be a right to counsel in some child support civil contempt cases.
Lack of right to counsel affects minorities, says treaty body
08/29/2014
The international body that enforces the CERD treaty urged the U.S. to address the impact of a lack of a right to counsel on people of color.
WA Court of Appeals finds right to counsel for foster child
06/10/2014
The WA Court of Appeals held that a trial court abused its discretion in not appointing counsel for a minor child in a dependency proceeding.
NJ appellate court extends right to counsel to civil contempt review proceedings
06/01/2014
A New Jersey court found a right to appointed counsel in a hearing on whether a child support obligee should remain in prison for contempt.
Report finds right to counsel in immigration would pay for itself
05/29/2014
A report commissioned by the NYC Bar finds that an immigration right to counsel would pay for itself.
PA urged to take steps towards a civil right to counsel
05/02/2014
A new report issued by the Civil Legal Justice Coalition to the PA State Senate Judiciary Committee urges PA to pursue a civil right to counsel.
Florida Legislature establishes right to counsel for certain dependent children
04/30/2014
A new Florida law provides a right to counsel for particularly vulnerable children in dependency proceedings.
Florida legislature establishes right to counsel for certain dependent children
04/30/2014
A new Florida law provides a right to counsel for particularly vulnerable children in termination proceedings.
U.S. hears from advocates on access to justice and CRTC
04/01/2014
An April 2014 meeting between U.S. representatives and access to justice advocates highlighted many issues, including civil right to counsel.
U.N. Human Rights Committee urges U.S. to provide counsel for DV, immigration
03/27/2014
The U.N. Human Rights Committee gave recommendations to the U.S. as to the ICCPR treaty, and urged the provision of counsel in some cases.
Indiana Supreme Court declares right to counsel for parents in abuse/neglect cases
03/13/2014
The Indiana Supreme Court clarified that parents have a statutory right to counsel in abuse/neglect cases, and failure to appoint is error.
New York City holds hearings on providing counsel to immigrants
02/25/2014
The New York City Council's Committee on Immigration held public hearings on different models for providing counsel in immigration cases.
Hawaii Supreme Court says parents have right to counsel in abuse/neglect cases
01/06/2014
The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that all parents have a constitutional right to counsel in abuse/neglect proceedings.
Hawaii Supreme Court says parents have right to counsel in abuse/neglect cases
01/06/2014
The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that all parents have a constitutional right to counsel in abuse/neglect proceedings.
Illinois legislation creates civil right to counsel pilots project
01/01/2014
The “Access to Justice Act”, enacted in 2013, creates a set of statewide pilot projects for the provision of counsel in civil cases.