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.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
The Iowa Supreme Court has said the trial court has the inherent power to appoint counsel for incarcerated persons.
Iowa high court finds state EPC right to counsel
The Iowa Supreme Court held it violated equal protection to deny counsel in privately initiated termination of parental rights proceedings.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel upon request for indigent parents in "child in need of care" (abuse/neglect) cases.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel upon request for indigent parents in termination of parental rights cases, including the appeal.
Right to counsel
There is a right to an attorney ad litem for children in "child in need of care" proceedings.
Right to counsel
A court must appoint counsel for an indigent respondent in a paternity proceeding.
Right to counsel for certain petitioners
A Kansas statute sets out the way in which a petitioner in a paternity case can receive legal assistance.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for indigent parents in adoption proceedings, including the appeal.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel in civil commitment matters, sometimes for both the petitioner and the respondent, as well as for certain minors.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for indigent persons in sexually dangerous persons proceedings.
Right to counsel
Respondents have a right to counsel in relation to establishing a guardianship/conservatorship, their sterilization, and involuntary admission.
Right to counsel
A court must appoint counsel for a minor seeking to bypass the parental notification requirements for an abortion.