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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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.

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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.

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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.

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Colorado appellate court recognizes right to counsel in contempt cases post-Turner

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Washington Post editorials focus on right to counsel

05/27/2021

The Washington Post ran an editorial series on the right to counsel.

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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.

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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 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.

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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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