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.
MA appellate court: counsel might be needed for evicted children
12/20/2019
The MA Court of Appeals remanded a case to determine whether children in an eviction case needed representation separate from their mother.
U.S. Rep DeLauro introduces housing representation bill
12/04/2019
A bill by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) would expand housing representation and encourage state/local governments to provide a right to counsel.
Financial advisory company focuses on right to counsel
10/13/2019
Stout, a financial analysis company that has produced right to counsel cost/benefit reports, has new articles on the right to counsel movement.
Center for American Progress issue brief supports tenant right to conusel
10/02/2019
A new issue brief from the Center for American Progress explains the importance of providing a right to counsel for tenants.
PA report calls for immigration right to counsel
10/01/2019
A new report out of Pennsylvania finds that few are represented in immigration court and calls for counsel to be provided by the state.
Ocasio-Cortez introduces housing right to counsel bill
09/25/2019
A bill by U.S. House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would fund states establishing or pursuing a right to counsel in eviction cases.
Delaware Lawyer Magazine focuses on access to justice, right to counsel
09/24/2019
The latest issue of Delaware Lawyer Magazine features articles looking at access to justice and the right to counsel in Delaware.
CAP issue brief calls for fed gov't leadership on civil legal aid
09/16/2019
An issue brief by the Center for American Progress relies in part on right to counsel efforts to call for federal leadership on civil justice.
Comprehensive housing plan urges right to counsel in eviction cases
09/12/2019
A briefing book from People's Action calls for a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction, pointing to the successful program in NYC.
NYC first jurisdiction with right to counsel for immigrants
08/16/2019
New York is providing universal access to counsel for detained immigrants.
Colorado report links housing, health, eviction right to counsel
08/07/2019
A report by the Colorado Health Institute looks at the links between housing instability and health and calls for an eviction right to counsel.
CA court reminds of discretion to appoint counsel for prisoners
08/06/2019
A California Court of Appeals held that a trial court erred when it said it lacked the ability to appoint counsel for a prisoner.
NJ appellate court: counsel required in administrative abuse/neglect cases
06/17/2019
An appellate court held that parents have a right to counsel in an administrative proceeding to determine abuse/neglect and for an appeal.
NY State Bar calls for right to counsel in immigration cases
06/17/2019
The NY State Bar endorsed a resolution calling for a statewide right to counsel in immigration removal proceedings.
Newark becomes third city to enact right to counsel for evictions
06/01/2019
In late 2018, Newark joined NYC and San Francisco in guaranteeing counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Report: attys, especially legal aid attys, reduce Chicago evictions
06/01/2019
A new report finds that being represented by a legal services attorney has a significant impact on eviction rates.
NCCRC's work featured in Governing Magazine
06/01/2019
The NCCRC and the civil right to counsel movement were featured recently in Governing Magazine, the preeminent publication for state and local government officials.
NACC urges RTC for kids when CAPTA reauthorized
05/24/2019
The National Association of Counsel for Children is urging Congress to require counsel for children when renewing the governing law.
Report: multidisciplinary rep for parents reduces foster care use
05/07/2019
A comprehensive, multi-year study found that providing multidisciplinary representation for parents in child welfare cases improved outcomes.
Ninth Circuit twice dodges question of right to counsel for kids in immigration cases
05/02/2019
Two federal cases sought a right to counsel for all immigrant children in deportation proceedings, but the Ninth Circuit avoided both cases.
Iowa adds right to counsel for parents, children in guardianship cases
05/02/2019
the Iowa Minor Guardianship Proceedings Act, enacted in 2019, guarantees counsel for parents and children in child guardianship cases.
North Dakota ensures counsel for parents in guardianship cases
05/01/2019
A 2019 law change provides a right to counsel for parents in private guardianship proceedings.
Right to counsel - extreme risk protection orders
04/16/2019
A respondent has a right to counsel in a proceeding relating to a protection order due to possession of firearms.
State adds right to counsel for extended foster care
03/13/2019
A new New Mexico law adds voluntary extended foster care for children aging out and provides counsel for children who opt in.
Montana Supreme Court acts to protect parent right to counsel
01/03/2019
The Montana Supreme Court found that a parent had not waived his right to counsel in an adoption case, and strengthened the waiver standard.
Report: tenants in Columbus OH with rep avoid adverse judgments far more often
12/08/2018
A report by Legal Aid Society of Columbus found that tenants with representation received favorable outcomes in their cases far more often.
Report: Hennepin County MN tenants w/rep 2x more likely to stay in homes
12/08/2018
A report on tenant representation Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid found that tenants experienced far better outcomes with counsel.
NJ court: counsel must be appointed prior to suspending driver's licenses
12/07/2018
A NJ trial court has held the state must appoint counsel prior to suspending a person's driver's license for inability to pay child support.
U.S. Senate hearings on adult guardianship address right to counsel
11/28/2018
The U.S. Senate's Special Committee on Aging held hearings on state guardianship proceedings, and the right to counsel was discussed.
NCCRC Coordinator delivers keynote speech in Minnesota
11/20/2018
NCCRC Coordinator John Pollock delivered a keynote speech on right to counsel to an audience of 400 people in Minnesota in November.