NH restores, protects right to counsel for parents in abuse/neglect proceedings
In 2011, the New Hampshire Legislature stripped away the right to counsel for indigent parents in abuse/neglect proceedings, but in a general appropriations bill introduced in 2013, the Legislature restored the right to counsel. Now the statute states:
In any case of neglect or abuse brought pursuant to this chapter, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent an indigent parent alleged to have neglected or abused his or her child. In addition, the court may appoint an attorney to represent an indigent parent not alleged to have neglected or abused his or her child if the parent is a household member and such independent legal representation is necessary to protect the parent’s interest. The court shall not appoint an attorney to represent any other persons involved in a case brought under this chapter.
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 169-C:10(II)(a).
NCCRC assisted litigation on this issue, and fought the court rule rollback.
