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.
Constitution requires counsel for parents in adoptions, MA high court rules
01/03/2012
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts found a state due process right to counsel for indigent parents in private adoption cases.
San Francisco enacts ordinance declaring intent to become first "right to civil counsel city"
01/01/2012
The San Francisco Council passed an ordinance declaring an intent to become the first "right to civil counsel city".
ABA Adopts Model Act on Child's Right to Counsel
01/01/2012
In 2011, the ABA endorsed the Model Act for Children in Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Proceedings, which covers right to counsel.
MA completes comprehensive housing pilots
01/01/2012
A set of housing right to counsel pilots were completed in Massachusetts in 2012 and 2013.
Ohio Supreme Court extends right to counsel to guardianship review cases
01/01/2012
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that as a matter of statutory construction, there is a right to counsel in reviews of existing guardianships.
Maryland Access to Justice Commission Releases RTC Implementation Report
06/03/2011
The ATJC's report described how new rights to counsel might be implemented in MD, and put a price tag on such an implementation.
Michigan Supreme Court clarifies right to counsel for adults
01/01/2011
The Michigan Supreme Court clarified that the right to counsel for parents in child protective proceedings includes the preliminary hearing.
Trial courts have inherent power to appoint counsel, says Supreme Court of Montana
01/01/2011
The Montana Supreme Court sent a reminder to trial courts that they have the inherent power to appoint counsel in any civil case.
ABA releases Model Act and Basic Principles for civil right to counsel
01/01/2010
In 2010, the ABA released the Model Access Act and Basic Principles of a Right to Counsel in Civil Legal Proceedings.
Right to counsel in terminations extends to appeals, Indiana Supreme Court says
01/01/2010
The Indiana Supreme Court held the statutory right to counsel for parents in terminations of parental rights cases extends to appeals.
Michigan Supreme Court dodges case on right to counsel in termination cases
03/12/2009
The Michigan Supreme Court declined to review a case where the trial court failed to appoint counsel for a parent in a termination case.
Tennessee legislature extends right to counsel for parents to adoption proceedings
01/01/2009
The Tennessee legislature amended the code to extend the right to counsel to parents in adoption proceedings.
Federal court rules Georgia children have right to counsel in deprivation cases
01/01/2005
A federal court found that the Georgia Constitution requires counsel for children in deprivation cases.
Federal court: GA children have state constitutional right to counsel in TPR cases
01/01/2005
A federal court found that the Georgia Constitution requires counsel for children in TPR cases.
MD high court avoids question of right to counsel in custody cases
03/04/2002
The Maryland Court of appeals narrowly avoided addressing whether parents have a right to counsel in custody cases.