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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Right to counsel
12/27/2020
There is an arguable right to appointed counsel in sterilization proceedings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MA to provide counsel to tenants statewide
10/12/2020
Massachusetts will provide $12.3 million to provide counsel to tenants across the state.
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.
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.