Right to counsel
North Carolina
,
Legislation
, Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children
, Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-601 (specifically covering abuse/neglect proceedings) specifies that children receive a guardian ad litem unless the GAL appointed is not an attorney, at which point “an attorney shall be appointed in the case in order to assure protection of the juvenile’s legal rights throughout the proceeding.” Additionally, the statute specifies that “The appointment shall terminate when the permanent plan has been achieved for the juvenile and approved by the court”, meaning the appointment would apply to the termination of parental rights proceeding.
Appointment of Counsel: Yes
Qualified: Yes
