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.
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.
Maryland AG Task Force recommends RTC for evictions
01/13/2021
The Maryand Attorney General's Access to Justice Task Force released a report recommending a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Trial court found to have abused discretion in failing to apopint counsel for parent
01/09/2021
A Louisian appelalte court reversed an adoption because the trial court failed to determine if the birth parent was entitled to counsel.
Right to counsel
12/27/2020
There is an arguable right to appointed counsel in sterilization proceedings.
Federal stimulus/budget bill has money for tenant representation
12/24/2020
The relief/omnibus bill passed by Congress in December 2020 has several pots of money for tenant representation.
Supreme Court of Ohio recognizes right to counsel in adoption cases
12/22/2020
The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that indigent parents in adoption cases have a right to counsel under the Equal Protection Clause.
PRIORITY BILL: counsel in DV cases
11/25/2020
Two bills would a create legislative task force to study appointment of counsel for DV victims.
PRIORITY BILL: counsel in guardianship cases
11/25/2020
A proposed bill would require appointment of counsel for the protected person in guardianship cases, rather than it being discretionary.
MA to provide counsel to tenants statewide
10/12/2020
Massachusetts will provide $12.3 million to provide counsel to tenants across the state.
No such proceeding
10/01/2020
Though there is a RTC in "sexual psychopath" commitment and related hearings, the Sexual Psychopath Act has been held unconstitutional.
AAAS highlights right to counsel in civil justice report
10/01/2020
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences released a report highlighting efforts to expand the right to counsel in civil cases.
No such proceeding
10/01/2020
Though there is a right to counsel in "sexual psychopath" hearings related to registration requirements, the Act has been held unconstitutional.
About COVID-19 and the right to counsel
09/05/2020
All about COVID-19 and how it relates to the right to counsel in critically important civil cases like housing.
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.