Alabama
Categorical Right To Counsel
Discretionary Appointment Of Counsel
Right Or Appointment Is Qualified
No Such Proceeding
No Authorization, But Relevant Materials
Other
Qualified
Adult Protective Proceedings - Protected Person
Legislation
Key Development
March 9, 2023
Right to guardian ad litem
An adult subject of protective services proceeding has the right to a GAL, but it is unclear whether GAL must be an attorney.
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Doesn't Affect
Forfeiture (incomplete)
Report
October 10, 2018
Another report calls for right to counsel in fees/fines cases
A report from Alabama Appleseed urges the state to provide counsel at all postconviction proceedings related to court debt.
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Qualified
Incarceration for Fees/Fines (incomplete)
Litigation
Key Development
November 17, 2014
Alabama fed court settlement establishes RTC in ability-to-pay cases
A federal district court approved a settlement requiring counsel for indigent debtors at ability-to-pay hearings.
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Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents
Legislation
Key Development
Right to counsel
Indigent adoption respondents have a right to counsel, while petitioners may be appointed counsel.
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Qualified
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Children
Legislation
Key Development
April 18, 2023
Right to attorney ad litem
Minor and adult adoptees in contested adoption matters have the right to a GAL, but it is unclear whether the GAL must be an attorney.
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Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents
Legislation
Key Development
Right to counsel
A statute requires appointed counsel for indigent respondent parents in termination cases, and permits appointment for indigent petitioners.
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Litigation
Key Development
July 8, 2025
Alabama appellate court reverses TPR where appointed counsel denied continuance
The Alabama Court of Appeals reversed a termination of parental rights where a parent's appointed lawyer was denied a continuance to prepare.
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Qualified
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents
Qualified
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children
Qualified
Adult Protective Proceedings - Protected Person
Qualified
Bypass of Parental Input into Abortion - Minor (Pre-Dobbs)
Qualified
Civil Commitment
Qualified
Civil Contempt in Family Court
Discretionary
Custody Disputes - Children
Qualified
Guardianship/Conservatorship of Adults - Protected Person
Discretionary
Guardianship/Conservatorship of Children - Child (incomplete)
Qualified
Incarceration for Fees/Fines (incomplete)
Categorical
Involuntary Medical Treatment (incomplete)
Qualified
Parentage - Defendant/Respondent
Qualified
Parentage - Petitioner or Child
Qualified
Quarantine/Isolation
No Such Proceeding
Sexually Dangerous Persons - Commitment
No Such Proceeding
Sterilization
Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents
Qualified
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Children
Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents
Qualified
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children
Qualified