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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.