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.
Kansas legislature introduces a bill to reform forfeiture
02/09/2023
A 2023 bill would abolish pre-conviction forfeiture and provide the right to counsel to indigent defendants in criminal forfeiture matters.
All about Louisville's eviction right to counsel
02/03/2023
Louisville is first the Southern city to enact an eviction right to counsel.
White House version of Tenant Bill of Rights includes right to counsel
01/27/2023
The recently-released White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights urges states to give tenants a right to counsel.
All about the children's right to counsel in PA TPR cases
01/14/2023
Children have a right to client-directed counsel in termination of parental rights cases, although the child's GAL can sometimes play this role.
New disability policy framework includes right to counsel
01/14/2023
New guidelines from the Disability Economic Justice Collaborative call for the inclusion of right to counsel as a reasonable accommodation.
Arbitrator may appoint attorney for child
01/10/2023
Arbitrator of family law matter may appoint an attorney, GAL, or other representative for a child.
Arbitrator may appoint attorney for child
01/10/2023
Arbitrator of family law matter may appoint an attorney, GAL, or other representative for a child.
CityHealth ranks cities on tenant right to counsel policies
01/04/2023
CityHealth, which ranks cities on their policies, is making a push in conjunction with the NCCRC for cities to adopt a tenant right to counsel.
Omaha looks to add tenant right to counsel
12/29/2022
Omaha's affordable housing plan includes right to counsel as one of its stated goals.
Alaska expands right to counsel for children
10/17/2022
Provides for mandatory and discretionary appointment of counsel for children 10 years of age or older in CINA cases in certain circumstances.
Conservatees entitled to counsel upon communicating their wish to terminate conservatorship.
09/30/2022
Conservatees have a right to counsel in seeking to terminate a conservatorship.
U.S. hears from advocates on access to justice and CRTC
09/20/2022
Meetings between U.S. representatives and access to justice advocates highlighted many issues, including civil right to counsel.
New NCCRC/CityHealth report highlights eviction right to counsel; webinar in Sept
09/19/2022
A report by the NCCRC, CityHealth, and Enterprise Community Partners covers housing policies advancing health equity, such as right to counsel.
Richmond VA eviction reports reveal power of counsel
09/15/2022
Reports find that Richmond eviction cases are incredibly short and that tenant counsel has a profound effect on outcomes.
California creates CARE Program for mental health
09/14/2022
Respondents in CARE proceedings have a right to counsel.
KY appeals court: denial of counsel for noncustodial parent was reversible error
08/05/2022
The Kentucky Court of Appeals held that the failure to appoint counsel in a dependency proceeding required reversal of the termination order.
Michigan court: effective assistance of counsel needed for civil commitments
07/29/2022
A Michigan Court of Appeals held that respondents in Michigan civil commitment proceedings are entitled to effective assistance of counsel.
Right to counsel but no such proceeding
06/24/2022
Though a minor seeking to bypass the parental consent requirements for an abortion has the right to counsel, abortion is effectively banned.
San Francisco ballot initiative establishes DV right to counsel pilot
06/06/2022
A 2022 ballot initiative, Proposition D, creates a 1-year pilot to provide a right to counsel for San Francisco victims of domestic violence.
Illinois creates immigration right to counsel task force
05/17/2022
An enacted 2022 bill creates a task force to study implementation of an immigration right to counsel, with a report due in 2023.
ACLU/NCCRC report flags eviction's harms, RTC's promise
05/11/2022
A joint report by the ACLU and NCCRC reviews the data on the widepsread consequences of evictions and right to counsel's impact on the problem.
New Orleans joins ranks of cities with tenant right to counsel
05/06/2022
In May 2022, the New Orleans City Council enacted an ordinance to provide a right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction.
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.
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.