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

Civil Rights Commission: Tennessee forfeiture proceedings should include counsel

11/01/2018

A civil rights report critiques Tennessee's civil forfeiture practices for not providing a right to counsel for property owners.

See more

Vermont Supreme Court affirms right to counsel in contempt proceedings

11/01/2018

The Vermont Supreme Court re-affirmed the right to counsel in contempt proceedings involving incarceration.

See more

Philadelphia divorce study finds representation makes big difference

10/26/2018

A study found that those who received full representation in divorce cases were significantly more successful in completing their divorces.

See more

Another report calls for right to counsel in fees/fines cases

10/10/2018

A report from Alabama Appleseed urges the state to provide counsel at all postconviction proceedings related to court debt.

See more

NH Supreme Court extends right to counsel to certain debt collection cases

09/18/2018

The right to counsel extends to cases where the State seeks to collect appointed counsel fees, the NH Supreme Court ruled.

See more

Wisconsin advocates petition WI Supreme Court for right to counsel rules

09/13/2018

WI advocates have filed two petitions asking the WI Supreme Court to establish civil right to counsel rules and pilot projects.

See more

Texas court: failure to appoint counsel for parent was reversible error

09/10/2018

An appellate court held the failure to advise a parent of the right to counsel in a TPR case, and delayed appointment, required reversal.

See more

Acting on CT legislative task force suggestions, Legislature enacts DV representation pilot

09/01/2018

A new DV representation pilot follows a recommendation of the legislative Task Force to Improve Access to Counsel in Civil Matters.

See more

Report details dramatic effect of having counsel in Seattle evictions

09/01/2018

A new report by the Seattle Women's Commission has some powerful stats on how much a lawyer makes a difference in eviction cases.

See more

Louisiana court: child's right to counsel in adoptions is mandatory

08/23/2018

A Louisiana court held that a child's right to counsel in adoption cases is not subject to waiver and must be strictly enforced.

See more

Complaints allege CA court violating Americans with Disabilities Act

08/16/2018

Complaints filed with the Sacramento County Superior Court allege violations of the ADA where counsel is not appointed in certain guardianships.

See more

ABA guidelines call for right to counsel in fees/fines cases

08/07/2018

The American Bar Association has adopted a set of principles on how fees/fines should be collected, and one advocates for a right to counsel.

See more

Wyo. Supreme Court upholds parents' right to counsel

07/30/2018

The Supreme Court of Wyoming held parents are entitled to appointed counsel in abuse/neglect cases even when not the subject of allegations.

See more

Florida court: adoption agencies can't challenge parents' right to counsel

07/30/2018

A Florida Court of Appeals held that an adoption agency could not challenge the appointment of counsel for a parent in an adoption case.

See more

Fed legislation would require immigration counsel for children, vulnerable adults

07/25/2018

A federal bill would require counsel for unaccompanied minors and vulnerable adults in immigration proceedings.

See more

Concord CA eviction report calls for right to counsel

07/24/2018

A report out of Concord, California finding numerous problems with the housing market recommends a right to counsel as a policy solution.

See more

California report flags eviction numbers/speed, calls for right to counsel

07/24/2018

A new report from Tenants Together cites sky-high statewide eviction numbers and calls for a right to counsel.

See more

Right to counsel the focus of July 17 public breakfast event

07/17/2018

On July 17 in NYC, the NCCRC hosted a public breakfast event to educate about the latest happenings in the civil right to counsel movement.

See more

Discretionary appointment of counsel - standby guardianships

06/28/2018

A court may appoint counsel for a child when petition by a standby guardian to assume custody is filed.

See more

Right to counsel

06/27/2018

Children in abuse/neglect cases are entitled to a GAL who is an attorney.

See more

Right to counsel - voluntary extension of foster care

06/22/2018

A 2018 law permits a court to appoint counsel for a child who voluntarily agrees to extend foster care.

See more

Report makes case for universal representation for immigrants

06/20/2018

A report from New Jersey Policy Perspective shows that immigrants fare better and the state saves money when counsel is provided.

See more

Right to counsel

06/19/2018

Wisconsin parents in some counties have a right to counsel in abuse/neglect cases pursuant to a pilot project.

See more

Right to counsel - student making terroristic threat

06/02/2018

A bill passed in 2018 requires the appointment of counsel for a student subjected to mental health evaluation after making a terroristic threat.

See more

New Georgia law protects parents' right to counsel

05/08/2018

Waiver of a parent's right to counsel in child welfare cases now has to be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent, thanks to new legislation.

See more

PA court: fees/fines defendants have right to appointed counsel

04/30/2018

The Pennsylvania Superior Court held defendants have a right to appointed counsel prior to being incarcerated for failure to pay fees/fines.

See more

MA moves to guarantee counsel for all fees/fines incarceration

04/13/2018

A bill passed in 2018 guarantees counsel for all those subject to incarceration for failure to pay any money owed.

See more

Right to counsel - reinstatement of parental rights

04/10/2018

The court must appoint counsel for an indigent child in foster care where a petition to reinstate parental rights is filed.

See more

Wisconsin takes step towards right to counsel for parents

04/04/2018

A new 2018 law creates pilot programs that provide a right to counsel for parents in CHIPS cases in 5 counties.

See more

Fed court: NJ township violated defendant's right to counsel in fees/fines case

04/02/2018

A federal court held that a NJ township violated defendants' right to counsel in its handling of fees/fines cases.

See more