Major developments

The Alaska Supreme Court has held that indigent parents have a state constitutional right to counsel in certain custody proceedings.

This bill would have removed the indigency requirement for a parent to have a right to counsel in termination of parental rights cases.

This bill would have abolished civil forfeiture and provided a right to counsel for criminal forfeiture proceedings.

This bill would have required a criminal conviction prior to forfeiture, and authorized the PD's office to represent an individual.

The Supreme Court of Utah held that parents may be constitutionally entitled to counsel in private termination of rights cases.

Reports from a MA Senate Committee and MA Trial Court Working Group call for a right to counsel in fees/fines cases.

A new campaign to end the criminalization of homelessness features right to counsel in housing cases as a major policy platform.

A NY Surrogate's Court held that proposed wards have a constitutional right to counsel in Article 17-A guardianship cases.

A new report by the American Immigration Council shows that represented immigrants are far more likely to be released and win their cases.

A commission created by the Nevada Supreme Court released a report calling for all potential wards to be provided counsel in guardianships.

At the 2016 NLADA Exemplar Award Dinner, Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called for the right to counsel in civil cases.

Former NY Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has called for New York to hold a constitutional convention on the right to counsel in civil cases.

A study on the impact of providing counsel for DV victims was conducted by the University of Iowa and Iowa Legal Aid.

A law passed in 2016 requires the court to appoint an attorney for a child to act as guardian ad litem in termination cases.

SJR 28, passed by the California Assembly, urges the federal government to guarantee counsel for children in immigration cases.

A law passed in 2016 requires the court to appoint an attorney for a child to act as guardian ad litem in abuse/neglect cases.

A New Mexico appellate court held that a trial court's failure to advise a parent of her statutory right to counsel was fundamental error.

A report examines the situation in Washington State as to when children are appointed counsel in child welfare cases.

A new "Justice for All Initiative" launched by national court leaders includes civil right to counsel as part of the plan.

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held there is a right to counsel for parents in adoption cases under the NJ Constitution's Due Process Clause.

A 2016 law authorizes a court to appoint counsel post-imposition of a guardianship/conservatorship if the court determines the ward needs it.

The U.N. Committee to End Racial Discrimination (CERD) has called on the U.S. to guarantee counsel in immigration cases.

A paper requested by the ABA Commission on the Future of Legal Services explores the history and future of the civil right to counsel movement.

The updated Justice Index, which ranks the states on access to justice, now includes some factors relating to civil right to counsel.

This bill would have required a child's appointed counsel to continues past TPR until permanent placement has been finalized.

The Supreme Judicial Court of MA held there is a constitutional right to counsel in proceedings to establish or modify a child guardianship.

A new law authorizes appointment of counsel for a person (other than the defendant) claiming an interest in property subject to forfeiture.

The Wisconsin legislature created a study committee to examine how to expand access to counsel in civil cases.

The Supreme Court of Texas held that a parent's right to counsel in child welfare cases extends to an appeal to the high court.

The Supreme Court of Texas held that a parent's right to counsel in termination of parental rights cases extends to an appeal to the high court.