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.

View by State

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

NYC first jurisdiction with right to counsel for immigrants

08/16/2019

New York is providing universal access to counsel for detained immigrants.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more

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.

See more