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.
PA report urges statewide eviction right to counsel
04/30/2022
A report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center urges the state to fund a right to counsel for tenants statewide.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
04/22/2022
A 2022 law changed appointment of counsel for birth parents in adoption cases from mandatory to discretionary.
Colorado adds right to counsel for older children in abuse/neglect cases
04/17/2022
In 2022, Colorado added the right to client-directed counsel for older children in abuse/neglect cases.
Lakewood Ohio considering tenant right to counsel
04/17/2022
An ordinance introduced in Lakewood Ohio aims to make the city the third in Ohio to provide a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Maryland is second state with eviction right to counsel
04/05/2022
In May, Maryland became the second state to provide a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing evictoin.
Discretionary appointment under "exceptional circumstances"
03/29/2022
The Indiana Supreme Court recently found that, under exceptional circumstances, courts may appoint counsel for individuals whose property is subject to forfeiture.
New York bill would provide statewide right to counsel for tenants
03/10/2022
Building off of NYCs success, a new bill would guarantee counsel for low-income tenants across New York State in a variety of situations.
All about Boulder's eviction right to counsel
03/03/2022
In Nov 2020, voters in Boulder Colorado approved a ballot initiative establishing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
MA high court avoids question of right to counsel in DV cases
02/18/2022
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts declined to answer whether indigent defendants are entitled to counsel in protection order cases.
All about the right to counsel for tenants in San Francisco
02/03/2022
A ballot initiative passed in June 2018 guarantees counsel for San Francisco tenants in eviction cases regardless of income.
California high court working group calls for tenant right to counsel
02/02/2022
A report by a working group created by the Supreme Court of California Chief Justice calls for a statewide tenant right to counsel.
NCCRC recognizes the eviction right to counsel movement's movers and shakers
01/14/2022
In January 2022, We celebrated the eviction right to counsel movement and its leaders.
Colorado appellate court recognizes right to counsel in contempt cases
01/06/2022
The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled that indigent parents in child support contempt cases pursued by the government have a right to counsel.
MD high court: right to counsel for patients facing forced medication
12/17/2021
The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that involuntarily committed patients objecting to medication have a right to counsel.
Legal services use fed. funds for tenant rep / right to counsel
11/17/2021
An increasing number of legal services programs have tapped a number of different federal funding pots to expand tenant representation.
WA report finds improved outcomes, cost savings w/kid counsel
11/15/2021
A new research report finds that children with counsel in child welfare cases have improved permanency outcomes and the State saves money.
Ithaca joins cities with universal tenant representation
11/05/2021
Ithaca has passed a resolution supporting the right to counsel for tenants and provided an annual appropriation.
Minneapolis is 12th city to guarantee counsel for tenants
10/11/2021
Minneapolis has enacted an ordinance providing a right to counsel for low-income tenants facing eviciton.
Baltimore becomes 7th city with tenant right to counsel
10/05/2021
The City of Baltimore has enacted a bill to provide all low-income tenants facing eviction with counsel .
CA joins states guaranteeing counsel in conservatorship cases
09/30/2021
A 2021 change to the law guarantees appointment of counsel in conservatorship cases. California statutes require appointment of counsel in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, but there are conditions.
Arkansas adds limited right to counsel for parents in adoptions
09/14/2021
A court must appoint counsel for a birth parent, but only for certain types of adoption and only with respect to filing or revoking consent.
Treasury, HUD, AG urge right to counsel for tenants
08/27/2021
A combined press release from the Treasury Department, HUD and AG"s Office urged states to use federal funding for right to counsel for tenants.
Texas app ct: dismissal of appointed atty due to alleged non-indigence was improper
08/15/2021
A Texas Court of Appeals found error in a trial court's decision to dismiss a parent's appointed counsel on the grounds of non-indgience.
SD Supreme Court impoves child's right to counsel
08/14/2021
The South Dakota Supreme Court has said that attorneys for children must inform courts of a child's wishes in child welfare cases.
Minnesota makes parent counsel mandatory in abuse/neglect cases
08/03/2021
A 2021 bill changed the law such that appointment of counsel for parents in abusen/neglect cases is mandatory, not discretionary.
All about right to counsel efforts in Tulsa
07/01/2021
The City of Tulsa is exploring a potential right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Charlottesville to provide counsel for most low-income tenants
06/15/2021
The City Council has committed to providing funding such that most low-income tenants can be provided counsel.
Washington Post editorials focus on right to counsel
05/27/2021
The Washington Post ran an editorial series on the right to counsel.
New polling data shows strong support for eviction right to counsel
05/19/2021
Data for Progress has released new polling data showing the American public strongly supports a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.