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.
MA trial court issues historic right to counsel decision
A Massachusetts trial court ordered the appointment of an attorney ad litem in a housing eviction case.
WA court says child should have been appointed counsel
A Washington Court of Appeals held that a trial court should have appointed counsel for a child in a dependency proceeding.
Washington State creates, expands rule for appointment of counsel for litigants with disabilities
A court rule permits appointment of counsel for a person with disabilities as a reasonable accommodation. The rule applies to admin cases too.
Louisiana requires counsel for contempt hearings
A bill passed in 2017 requires the court to appoint counsel when a defendant is held in contempt for failure to comply with a repayment plan.
Nevada Legislature rewrites guardianship law to strengthen right to counsel
The Nevada Legislature strengthened the right to counsel for protected persons in guardianship cases in several ways.
NH Legislature moves to require counsel prior to fees/fines incarceration
The NH Legislature enacted a bill in 2017 that requires appointment of counsel prior to incarceration for failure to pay criminal fees/fines.
Minnesota passes bill strengthening child’s right to counsel
A 2017 bill strengthened the right to appointed counsel for Minnesota children 10 and over in abuse and TPR cases.
New South Carolina law requires separate counsel in guardianship proceedings
A 2017 law requires appointment of counsel and a guardian ad litem in guardianship cases, rather than counsel acting as a GAL.
Right to counsel – challenging quality of sex offense treatment or search and seizure
A Kansas appellate court found a due process and equal protection right to counsel for Kansas Sexual Predator Treatment Program concerns.
MA Supreme Court: indigent guardians may be appointed counsel
The MA Supreme Court held a trial court may use its equitable powers to appoint counsel for an indigent guardian in a child guardianship case.
Iowa enacts law separating GAL and attorney roles for children in custody cases
A 2017 law separates the role of guardian ad litem and attorney for children in custody cases.
SC Supreme Court: Right to counsel in sex offender commitment cases
The Supreme Court of South Carolina held there is a constitutional right to appointed counsel in sex offender commitment cases.
