Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for indigent respondents in adult protective provisional order proceedings. D.C. Code § 7-1906(a)(2). Though an an ex parte order for protective services can be entered in the event of an emergency, D.C. Code § 7-1907, the right to counsel attaches immediately upon the filing of a petition per D.C. Code § 7-1906(b): “The adult in need of protective services and any other person on whom notice is served under this subsection shall have the right to retain counsel, and if indigent, to have counsel promptly appointed by the court upon the Attorney General’s filing of a petition under subsection (a) of this section.” (emphasis added).