Louisiana
Categorical Right To Counsel
Discretionary Appointment Of Counsel
Right Or Appointment Is Qualified
No Such Proceeding
No Authorization, But Relevant Materials
Other
Categorical
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents
Legislation
Key Development
Right to counsel
Indigent parents are entitled to counsel in abuse/neglect proceedings.
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Qualified
Housing - Evictions
Legislation
Key Development
May 6, 2022
All about New Orleans' Tenant Right to Counsel
In May 2022, the New Orleans City Council enacted an ordinance to provide a right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction.
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Categorical
Incarceration for Fees/Fines (incomplete)
Legislation
Key Development
June 21, 2017
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.
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Qualified
Other subject area
Legislation
Key Development
June 2, 2018
Right to counsel - Student making terroristic threat
A bill passed in 2018 requires the appointment of counsel for a student subjected to mental health evaluation after making a terroristic threat.
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Doesn't Affect
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents
Litigation
January 9, 2021
Trial court abused its discretion in failing to appoint counsel for parent
A Louisiana appellate court reversed an adoption because the trial court failed to determine if the birth parent was entitled to counsel.
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Qualified
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Children
Legislation
Key Development
June 9, 2023
Legislature passes discretionary appointment for some kids
In TPR matters brought based on commission of a sex offense resulting in conception of the child, the court may appoint counsel.
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Key Development
August 23, 2018
Appellate Court: Child's right to counsel in adoptions is mandatory
A Louisiana court held that a child's right to counsel in adoption cases is not subject to waiver and must be strictly enforced.
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Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children
Legislation
Key Development
May 21, 2024
LA removes RTC loophole for children
The court must appoint counsel for all children in termination of parental rights cases.
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Qualified
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents
Categorical
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children
Categorical
Adult Protective Proceedings - Protected Person
Qualified
All Basic Human Needs
Qualified
Benefits - Claimant
Qualified
Bypass of Parental Input into Abortion - Minor (Pre-Dobbs)
Qualified
Child Support Establishment
Categorical
Civil Commitment
Qualified
Consumer or Other Debt
Qualified
Custody Disputes - Children
Qualified
Domestic Violence - Accused Person
Categorical
Guardianship/Conservatorship of Adults - Protected Person
No Such Proceeding
Guardianship/Conservatorship of Children - Parent or Guardian
Qualified
Housing - Evictions
Categorical
Incarceration for Fees/Fines (incomplete)
Categorical
Involuntary Medical Treatment (incomplete)
Discretionary
Other subject area
Other
Parentage - Defendant/Respondent
Qualified
Quarantine/Isolation
No Such Proceeding
Sexually Dangerous Persons - Commitment
Other
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents
Qualified
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Children
Other
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents
Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children
Categorical