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.
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.
Right to an attorney ad litem
08/26/2021
Pro se minor parties in interpersonal protective order (IPO) and domestic violence order (DVO) cases have a right to an attorrney ad litem.
Kentucky high court finds that unrepresented minors are entitled to an attorney ad litem
08/26/2021
Pro se minor parties in interpersonal protective order (IPO) and domestic violence order (DVO) cases have a right to an attorrney ad litem.
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 abuse/neglect cases is mandatory, not discretionary.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
07/14/2021
The court may appoint counsel for Missouri children in truancy cases, which are treated as "child in need of care or treatment" matters.
Right to counsel
06/29/2021
Indigent parents in termination of parental rights cases have the right to counsel, and counsel shall be appointed if the parent desires.
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.
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 many children in child welfare cases
05/10/2021
As the result of 2021 legislation, many 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.
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.
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.