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.
St. Pete weighs right to counsel for tenants facing eviction
10/03/2023
The City of St. Pete is considering providing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Right to counsel
09/15/2023
There is a RTC for either party in a DV proceeding under Article 8, including for appeal, and for certain minor respondents in juvenile court.
No such proceeding
09/11/2023
Previously, there was a qualified right to counsel in sterilization proceedings. But the legislature repealed the provisions in 2023.
Colorado court reverses denial of counsel in contempt case
07/13/2023
The appellate court overturned a contempt order where the respondent was unrepresented and the trial court failed to analyze his ability to pay.
St. Louis is 22nd right to counsel jurisdiction
07/07/2023
St. Louis has enacted a right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
Connecticut statutes and court rule guarantee counsel for indigent parents in abuse/neglect proceedings, and allows appointment for the appeal.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
A Connecticut statute guarantees counsel for indigent parents in termination proceedings who appear without counsel.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
The court must appoint counsel for a minor in an abuse/neglect case, and can appoint counsel for the appeal.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
Minors have a right to counsel in termination of parental rights proceedings.
Right to counsel
06/18/2023
The court must appoint an attorney ad litem for the subject of a guardianship proceeding.
Delaware takes major step towards tenant right to counsel
06/16/2023
Delaware's new law entitles tenants to counsel in certain housing matters, but subject to qualifications that fall short of a full right.
Jersey City becomes 21st jurisdiction with tenant right to counsel
06/15/2023
Following a push from the North New Jersey DSA, Jersey City has adopted a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Nevada guarantees counsel for Indian children
06/13/2023
The court must appoint counsel to represent an Indian child in an abuse/neglect matter where custody is at issue.
LA provides discretionary appt of counsel for children in some private TPR matters
06/09/2023
In TPR matters brought based on commission of a sex offense resulting in conception of the child, the court may appoint counsel.
Nevada guarantees / strengthens counsel for children in abuse/neglect proceedings
06/06/2023
A court must appoint counsel for a child in an abuse/neglect proceeding.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
06/06/2023
A court may appoint counsel for accused parents and must appoint counsel where protective custody of Indian child is sought.
Colorado enacts RTC for parents in due process appeals where the parent prevailed below
05/25/2023
Parents of students with a disability have the right to counsel in due process appeals where they prevailed below.
Montana guarantees child-directed counsel for children
05/19/2023
A court must appoint counsel for a child in an abuse/neglect proceeding.
Montana guarantees child-directed counsel for children
05/19/2023
A court must appoint counsel for a child in a termination of parental rights proceeding and may assign counsel for appeals.
Minnesota creates limited statewide tenant right to counsel
05/19/2023
A bill enacted in 2023 provides a right to counsel for public housing tenants threatened with eviction for an alleged breach of lease.
Westchester County NY is first county with tenant right to counsel
05/19/2023
In May 2023, Westchester County NY became the first county, and 19th jurisdiction, to provide a right to counsel for tenants.
All about Detroit's tenant right to counsel
05/16/2023
In May 2022, Detroit became the latest city to enact a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Right to attorney ad litem for certain payees
05/16/2023
The court must appoint an attorney GAL for payees who are minors or appear to "suffer from a mental or cognitive impairment."
Oklahoma strengthens rights for debtors in fees and fines matters
05/15/2023
Indigent civil contempt respondents have a right to counsel; a jail sentence may not be imposed unless criminal contempt defendant has counsel.
Multnomah County RTC ballot initiative voted down
05/15/2023
A proposed ballot initiative that would have establish a right to counsel for Multnomah County tenants facing eviction was voted down.
Georgia expands right to counsel to children in deprivation cases who are receiving extended care youth services
05/01/2023
Kids have a right to their own counsel due to a 2013 amendment. In 2023, the RTC was extended to kids receiving extended care youth services.
Right to counsel - Extreme risk protection orders
04/20/2023
Extreme risk protection order respondents may have the right to counsel under certain circumstances.
Mississippi expands child right to counsel in child welfare cases
04/19/2023
Minors in abuse/neglect proceedings have the right to an attorney and a GAL.
Right to attorney ad litem
04/18/2023
Minor and adult adoptees in contested adoption matters have the right to a GAL, but it is unclear whether the GAL must be an attorney.
New Mexico provides parents with counsel prior to the signing of a voluntary placement agreement
04/04/2023
A parent or guardian has the right to counsel before signing, and for the duration of, a voluntary placement agreement.