Major developments

The NH Supreme Court rejected a proposed rule change that would have truncated a parent's right to counsel in dependency (abuse/neglect) cases.

The Washington State Bar Association passed a resolution urging the state to guarantee lawyers for children in dependency (abuse/neglect) cases.

A Missouri appellate court found that courts must tell parents they have a right to request appointment of counsel.

In 2013, the legislature restored the right to counsel for parents in abuse/neglect cases, and the NH Supreme Court has acted to protect it.

The Florida Supreme Court upheld the due process right to counsel for indigent parents in termination proceedings, rejecting SCOTUS precedent.

A new report by UNC Law School explains how lack of a civil right to counsel violates international human rights law.

In 2015, Texas decriminalized truancy, prevented initial incarceration, and permitted the court to appoint counsel for the child.

The NY Senate and House passed a concurrent resolution supporting the concept of universal representation in basic human needs civil cases.

A Texas law enacted in 2015 provides for appointment of counsel for unknown/unlocatable parents and provides earlier notice to other parents.

A federal case alleging the City of Ferguson is jailing indigent debtors without a hearing or counsel has survived a motion to dismiss.

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.

A federal court found that a South Dakota court's practice of not appointing counsel at 48-hour child removal hearings violated due process.

The MA high court has said that the constitutional right to counsel applies to abuse/neglect cases.

ABA Resolution 113 calls for the appointment of counsel for unaccompanied minors in all immigration proceedings.

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.

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.

The Supreme Court of Montana held the state's failure to provide counsel in private adoption cases violated the state's equal protection clause.

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.

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.

The Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society's 2014 essay contest for high school students was about civil right to counsel.

A federal district court approved a settlement requiring counsel for indigent debtors at ability-to-pay hearings.

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.

At the LSC 40th Anniversary event, several state supreme court justices spoke favorably about the right to counsel in civil cases.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A report commissioned by the NYC Bar finds that an immigration right to counsel would pay for itself.

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.

A new Florida law provides a right to counsel for particularly vulnerable children in dependency proceedings.