Right to counsel
Maryland
,
Legislation
, Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents
Indigent parents have a right to counsel in a non-consensual guardianship action brought by the state to terminate parental rights. Md. Code Ann. Fam. Law § 5-323(b); Md. Code Ann., Crim. Proc. § 16-204(b)(1)(vi) (statutory right to counsel at state expense in accordance with the public defender statute). See also Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-1405 (where state seeks to terminate parental rights due to nonconsensual sexual conduct that resulted in child, parent is entitled to appointed counsel if indigent).
Appointment of Counsel: Yes
Qualified: No
