Civil RTC News
This page lists all of the most recent developments on civil right to counsel across the country. These could be newly created rights to counsel, significant publications, public events, advocacy efforts, or other things that don’t fit into a neat category.
UN report raises need for counsel in all detention cases
A report by the UN Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention discussed the need for counsel whenever a person faces any kind of detention.
Baltimore Sun turns focus to rise of civil right to counsel housing legislation
An article in the Baltimore Sun looked at bills filed at the city level in NYC, Washington D.C., and elsewhere to provide counsel for tenants.
New Nevada law guarantees counsel for children in termination proceedings
A court must appoint counsel for a child in a state-initiated termination proceeding, and may appoint in a private termination.
Arkansas parents entitled to counsel at emergency child welfare hearing
A bill passed in 2017 requires parents to be appointed counsel at an emergency ex parte dependency hearing.
Bipartisan call for legislative right to counsel in civil forfeiture cases continues to grow
Calls to reform civil forfeiture proceedings have come from all sides of the aisle, with legislation filed at the federal and state level.
New Utah law guarantees counsel for criminal debt collection
A 2017 law organizes all collection of criminal debt into contempt proceedings and requires the appointment of counsel.
Articles, studies make case for right to counsel in debt cases
Two new articles in the Harvard Law & Policy Review support the right to counsel in debt cases.
Federal agency: all parents/children should be represented in child welfare cases
DHHS' Administration for Children and Families has issued a memo calling for counsel for all parents/children in child welfare cases.
Utah high court: some parents have right to counsel in private termination cases
The Supreme Court of Utah held that parents may be constitutionally entitled to counsel in private termination of rights cases.
NY court: wards have constitutional right to counsel in Art. 17-A guardianship proceedings
A NY Surrogate's Court held that proposed wards have a constitutional right to counsel in Article 17-A guardianship cases.
Report: Whether Washington kids get counsel depends on where they live
A report examines the situation in Washington State as to when children are appointed counsel in child welfare cases.
“100% Access to Justice” Initiative launched, includes civil right to counsel
A new "Justice for All Initiative" launched by national court leaders includes civil right to counsel as part of the plan.
