Major developments

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.

A briefing book from People's Action calls for a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction, pointing to the successful program in NYC.

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

A report by the Colorado Health Institute looks at the links between housing instability and health and calls for an eviction right to counsel.

A California Court of Appeals held that a trial court erred when it said it lacked the ability to appoint counsel for a prisoner.

An appellate court held that parents have a right to counsel in an administrative proceeding to determine abuse/neglect and for an appeal.

The NY State Bar endorsed a resolution calling for a statewide right to counsel in immigration removal proceedings.

In late 2018, Newark joined NYC and San Francisco in guaranteeing counsel for tenants facing eviction.

A 2019 report found that being represented by a legal services attorney has a significant impact on eviction rates.

The NCCRC and the civil right to counsel movement were featured recently in Governing Magazine, the preeminent publication for state and local government officials.

The National Association of Counsel for Children is urging Congress to require counsel for children when renewing the governing law.

A comprehensive, multi-year study found that providing multidisciplinary representation for parents in child welfare cases improved outcomes.

Two federal cases sought a right to counsel for all immigrant children in deportation proceedings, but the Ninth Circuit avoided both cases.

If the court finds that a minor's interests are or may be inadequately represented, it shall appoint counsel.

Indigent objecting parents have the right to counsel upon request in minor guardianship matters.

A 2019 law change provides a right to counsel for parents in private guardianship proceedings.

A respondent has a right to counsel in a proceeding relating to a protection order due to possession of firearms.

The court may appoint counsel for minors in guardianship cases.

A new New Mexico law adds voluntary extended foster care for children aging out and provides counsel for children who opt in.

The Montana Supreme Court found that a parent had not waived his right to counsel in an adoption case, and strengthened the waiver standard.

A report by Legal Aid Society of Columbus found that tenants with representation received favorable outcomes in their cases far more often.

A report on tenant representation Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid found that tenants experienced far better outcomes with counsel.

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.

The U.S. Senate's Special Committee on Aging held hearings on state guardianship proceedings, and the right to counsel was discussed.

NCCRC Coordinator John Pollock delivered a keynote speech on right to counsel to an audience of 400 people in Minnesota in November.

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

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

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

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

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