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.

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New Jersey joins ranks of states considering tenant right to counsel

05/14/2021

A bill has been filed that would provide a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.

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WA State guarantees counsel for most children in child welfare cases

05/10/2021

As the result of 2021 legislation, most Washington State children are now guaranteed independent counsel in child welfare cases.

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WA State guarantees counsel for children in termination cases

05/10/2021

As the result of 2021 legislation, Washington State children are now guaranteed independent counsel in termination of parental rights cases.

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New North Dakota law strengthens right to counsel for kids

04/28/2021

A 2021 law guarantees counsel for children in abuse/neglect cases provided the children are of sufficient age and maturity.

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Right to counsel

04/28/2021

A 2021 law guarantees counsel for children in parental termination cases provided the children are of sufficient age and maturity.

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CA Supreme Court: parents have right to effective assistance of counsel on appeal

04/25/2021

The Supreme Court of California ruled parents can challenge a denial of a termination of parental rights appeal that was filed late.

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Arizona establishes right to counsel for kids in child welfare cases

04/23/2021

Juveniles have the right to appointed counsel in abuse/neglect proceedings regardless of indigency.

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New Jersey launches eviction right to counsel pilot

04/15/2021

New Jersey will be providing counsel to all tenants facing eviction in 3 pilot sites.

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Legal Services Corp. President calls for eviction right to counsel

04/15/2021

An opinion piece in the Houston Chronicle by the Legal Services Corporation President calls for immediate passage of an eviction right ocounsel.

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Santa Monica explores eviction right to counsel

04/10/2021

Santa Monica has taken steps to move towards a right to counsel in eviction cases.

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5th Circuit: appointment of counsel portion of ICWA is constitutional

04/09/2021

The Fifth Circuit upheld the portion of the Indian Child Welfare Act relating to appointment of counsel for parents.

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Seattle becomes eighth city with eviction right to counsel

03/29/2021

A bill enacted by the Seattle City Council provides a right to counsel for all low-income tenants facing eviction.

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PA Superior Court: appointed counsel must represent so long as there is a likelihood of imprisonment

03/17/2021

The PA Superior Court instructs that on remand, so long as there is a likelihood of imprisonment, appointed counsel must continue to represent.

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Supreme Court of Hawaii ruling strengthens parents’ right to counsel in child welfare cases

03/11/2021

The Supreme Court of Hawaii has ruled that parents must be appointed counsel for all types of child welfare cases upon filing of the petition.

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Certain Houston courts will provide counsel for all tenants

03/10/2021

A new project will provide all tenants counsel in certain Houston housing courts.

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Policy brief makes case for universal representation in immigration

02/19/2021

A policy brief by the Vera Institute shares compelling statistics justifying the creation of a universal representation program for immigrants.

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Webinar series featured organizing around eviction right to counsel

02/01/2021

A webinar series hosted by the NCCRC and the Right to Counsel Coalition of NYC featured organizing efforts around right to counsel.

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Indiana considering tenant right to counsel for Marion County

01/16/2021

A pending bill would guarantee counsel for tenants facing eviction in Marion County Small Claims Court.

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Mississippi pilots show significant benefit of counsel in child welfare cases

01/15/2021

A recent Mississippi study showed that parents benefit significantly when given access to legal counsel.

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Maryland AG Task Force recommends RTC for evictions

01/13/2021

The Maryand Attorney General's Access to Justice Task Force released a report recommending a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

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Nebraska bill would create right to counsel for all tenants

01/11/2021

A new bill would require courts to appoint counsel for all tenants in eviction cases.

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Trial court found to have abused discretion in failing to apopint counsel for parent

01/09/2021

A Louisian appelalte court reversed an adoption because the trial court failed to determine if the birth parent was entitled to counsel.

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Right to counsel

12/27/2020

There is an arguable right to appointed counsel in sterilization proceedings.

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Federal stimulus/budget bill has money for tenant representation

12/24/2020

The relief/omnibus bill passed by Congress in December 2020 has several pots of money for enant representation.

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Supreme Court of Ohio recognizes right to counsel in adoption cases

12/22/2020

The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that indigent parents in adoption cases have a right to counsel under the Equal Protection Clause.

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PRIORITY BILL: counsel in DV cases

11/25/2020

Two bills would a create legislative task force to study appointment of counsel for DV victims.

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PRIORITY BILL: counsel in guardianship cases

11/25/2020

A proposed bill would require appointment of counsel for the protected person in guardianship cases, rather than it being discretionary.

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MA to provide counsel to tenants statewide

10/12/2020

Massachusetts will provide $12.3 million to provide counsel to tenants across the state.

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AAAS highlights right to counsel in civil justice report

10/01/2020

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences released a report highlighting efforts to expand the right to counsel in civil cases.

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About COVID-19 and the right to counsel

09/05/2020

All about COVID-19 and how it relates to the right to counsel in critically important civil cases like housing.

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