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.
Rochester NY to provide counsel for all tenants
09/04/2020
Rochester NY will be providing counsel to all tenants facing eviction.
Federal bills would fund state/local attorneys for tenants
08/04/2020
Bills introduced in the House and Senate would provide federal funding for cities and state to provide counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Sen. Harris files federal right to counsel bill
07/18/2020
Sen. Kamala Harris filed a comprehensive housing reform bill that would, among other things, provide a right to counsel for tenants.
New tool predicts expected # of eviction filings due to COVID-19
07/17/2020
A new tool shows the number of rent-unstable renter households in the U.S. as well as how many eviction filings that may lead to.
MD court: threat of incarceration makes right to counsel attach
07/06/2020
A Maryland appellate court held that statutory law entitles civil contempt defendants to counsel when they are threatened with incarceration.
All about California's Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel projects
06/30/2020
In 2009, California enacted the Shriver Civil Counsel Act to create right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 they were made permanent projects.
All about California's Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel projects
06/30/2020
In 2009, California enacted the Shriver Civil Counsel Act to create right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 they were made permanent projects.
All about California's Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel projects
06/30/2020
In 2009, California enacted the Shriver Civil Counsel Act to create right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 they were made permanent projects.
MA high court avoids RTC question for civil contempt, but issues strong ruling/concurrence
06/26/2020
The Massachusetts high court avoided answering whether there is a right to counsel for civil contempt cases, but issued a strong opinion.
Maryland AG creates access to justice task force, flags right to counsel
06/16/2020
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh announced the creation of an access to justice task force and that right to counsel would be considered.
Iowa pilot will allow early appointment of counsel for parents
06/15/2020
A bill passed in 2020 will allow the public defender to appoint counsel for parents prior to formal dependency proceedings.
Study: COVID-19, housing instability, and right to counsel
06/11/2020
A new study explains how COVID-19, the public health crisis, evictions, and the right to counsel are connected.
The NCCRC's statement on the murder of George Floyd and the protests
06/09/2020
A statement from the NCCRC regarding the murder of George Floyd, the protests, and the connection to housing justice.
Report finds racial disparity in evictions, calls for right to counsel
06/02/2020
A report finds the majority of MA evictions suspended during COVID-19 are in communities of color, and calls for a right to counsel.
Report: Baltimore/MD would save $36 million w/tenant right to counsel
05/18/2020
A report by a financial analysis company concludes Baltimore and Maryland would save a combined $36 million with a right to counsel for tenants.
Civil right to counsel resolution introduced in Congress
05/08/2020
U.S. House Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA) and 14 cosponsors introduced a resolution to provide a right to counsel in civil cases.
Michigan report calls for eviction right to counsel
05/08/2020
A Michigan report outlines the state's high eviction filing rate as well as the representational imbalance between tenants and landlords.
Delaware report flags low tenant rep rate, need for counsel
05/01/2020
A University of Delaware report flags the low rate of tenant representation and the small dollars involved in some eviction actions.
Right to Counsel
04/23/2020
There is a right to counsel for a person diagnosed as "affected with a communicable disease" who has been detained and petitions for discharge.
About the right to counsel in quarantine/isolation cases
04/20/2020
The NCCRC status map now includes full information about the right to counsel when subject to quarantine or isolation.
PA appellate court: right to counsel attaches where incarceration is threatened
03/03/2020
A PA appellate court broadly held that the right to counsel attaches when incarceration is threatened in civil matters.
PA Superior Court: right to appointed counsel where there is a likelihood of imprisonment for failure to pay cost
03/03/2020
The PA Superior Court held that counsel must be appointed where there is a likelihood of imprisonment for contempt over failure to pay a cost.
Bill would amend standards for appointing civil counsel in federal court
02/28/2020
New federal legislation would address flaws in the statute governing discretionary appointment of counsel in federal civil cases.
More federal bills would fund cities/states pursuing right to counsel
02/13/2020
Bills filed in the U.S. House and Senate would fund cities/states expanding eviction defense and prioritize those with a right to counsel.
ICWA, right to counsel apply to private guardianships, says Nebraska high court
02/10/2020
The Supreme Court of Nebraska held= the Indian Child Welfare Act and its right to counsel provisions appliy to private guardianship disputes.
DC court extends child's right to counsel
02/06/2020
The D.C. Court of Appeals held delinquent children have a right to counsel in proceedings run by the Dept' of Youth Rehabilitation Services.
Webinar tackles funding and race issues in eviction right to counsel
01/17/2020
A Shriver Center webinar tackled the question of the race equity implications of an eviction right to counsel, as well as funding questions.
NY bill would guarantee counsel in all immigration removal cases
01/15/2020
A statewide bill in NY would provide a right to counsel for both detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings.
Wall Street Journal profiles growing eviction right to counsel movement
12/26/2019
The Wall Street Journal took a look at how cities are adopting an eviction right to counsel as a way of combating rising rents.
Texas Supreme Court: parent not advised of right to counsel
12/20/2019
The Supreme Court of Texas reversed a termination of parental rights because a parent was not advised of her right to appointed counsel.