Ensuring individuals have a right to effective counsel when facing the loss of their basic human needs in the civil legal system.

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Ohio

Categorical Right To Counsel
Discretionary Appointment Of Counsel
Right Or Appointment Is Qualified
No Such Proceeding
No Authorization, But Relevant Materials
Other
What do these terms mean?
Recent Activity
Right to Counsel Status
Qualified

Domestic Violence - Accused Person

Litigation

Key Development
? While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is discretionary).
September 17, 2024
Ohio 5th Dist. joins the 6th in recognizing RTC for minor DV respondents
Two Ohio appellate courts have found a due process right to counsel for juvenile respondents in protective order proceedings.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Yes
Qualified: Yes
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
Doesn't Affect

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Adults - Protected Person

Legislation

January 1, 2012
Ohio Supreme Court extends right to counsel to guardianship review cases
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that as a matter of statutory construction, there is a right to counsel in reviews of existing guardianships.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
The NCCRC helped petitioners with legal research and briefing for the Ohio Supreme Court case.
Doesn't Affect

Housing - Evictions

Legislation

February 21, 2023
HB59
Creating eviction defense fund to provide legal rep. to tenants in evictions who have at least one child and meet income guidelines
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
April 24, 2024
SB245
Creating eviction defense fund to provide legal rep. to tenants in evictions who have at least one child and meet income guidelines
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
April 17, 2022
Lakewood Ohio considering tenant right to counsel
An ordinance introduced in Lakewood Ohio aims to make the city the third in Ohio to provide a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
February 10, 2023
All about Toledo's right to counsel for tenants facing eviction
The City of Toledo has enacted legislation to guarantee counsel to low-income tenants facing eviction.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Yes
Qualified: Yes
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.

The NCCRC submitted supportive testimony, met with advocates and city leaders, and worked with advocates on the bill language.

March 11, 2025
All about Cleveland's eviction right to counsel
A bill guarantees counsel to Cleveland families with children facing eviction who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Yes
Qualified: Yes
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.

The NCCRC has worked with advocates over the last several years to advance this bill.

May 12, 2025
All about Columbus Ohio's new tenant right to counsel
In Dec 2024, the City of Columbus enacted a right to counsel for certain tenants facing eviction.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Yes
Qualified: Yes
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
The NCCRC supported advocacy efforts in Columbus.
February 12, 2025
SB83
Creating legal service housing defense fund to be administered by state public defender
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
March 26, 2025
HB181
Creates fund for representation of tenants in eviction proceedings and provides that Ohio Access to Justice Foundation must contract with legal services providers to provide full legal representation to tenants with children who are below 250% of the federal poverty level.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
June 3, 2025
Akron Mayor announces intent to introduce tenant RTC law
The Mayor of Akron has said he plans to introduce tenant right to counsel legislation in in June 2020.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
The NCCRC has supported advocates in Akron, who went through a NCCRC training program.

Report

March 30, 2023
Cincinnati ordinance expands tenant representation
Reports from Cincinnati flag the low number of represented tenants and high eviction rates, as well as the positive impact of representation.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.

The NCCRC gave input on the 2023 report.

Categorical

Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents

Litigation

Key Development
? While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is discretionary).
May 27, 2025
All about the constitutional right to counsel in Ohio adoption cases
The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that indigent parents in adoption cases have a right to counsel under the Equal Protection Clause.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Yes
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.

The NCCRC assisted with the strategic planning and briefing.

Doesn't Affect

Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents

Litigation

March 25, 2023
OH Court of Appeals strengthens parents’ right to counsel in termination of parental rights matters
An Ohio appellate court held that trial courts cannot permit parents' attorneys to withdraw in TPR matters without a thorough waiver analysis.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.
January 4, 2018
Supreme Court of Ohio strengthens parental right to counsel
A new decision from the Supreme Court of Ohio creates a stronger standard for waiver of a parent's right to counsel in the termination context.
Read More
Appointment of Counsel:  Doesn't Affect
Qualified: No
? If "yes", the established right to counsel or discretionary appointment of counsel is limited in some way, including any of: the only authority is a lower/intermediate court decision or a city council, not a high court or state legislature; there has been a subsequent case that has cast doubt; a statute is ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment is not for all types of individuals or proceedings within that category.

The NCCRC gave some research and strategic assistance to the petitioner.

Categorical

Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents

Discretionary

Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children

Qualified

Adult Protective Proceedings - Protected Person

Categorical

Bypass of Parental Input into Abortion - Minor (Pre-Dobbs)

Categorical

Civil Commitment

Qualified

Civil Contempt in Family Court

Qualified

Consumer or Other Debt

Discretionary

Custody Disputes - Children

Discretionary

Domestic Violence - Accused Person

Qualified

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Adults - Protected Person

Qualified

Housing - Evictions

Qualified

Incarceration for Fees/Fines (incomplete)

Qualified

Involuntary Medical Treatment (incomplete)

Qualified

Other subject area

Categorical

Parentage - Defendant/Respondent

Qualified

Parentage - Petitioner or Child

Qualified

Quarantine/Isolation

No Such Proceeding

Sexually Dangerous Persons - Commitment

Qualified

Sterilization

Categorical

Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents

Qualified

Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents

Discretionary

Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children

Categorical

Truancy - Petition Against Child

© 2003-2024 National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel

The NCCRC works to advance the right to counsel for low-income people in civil cases involving basic human needs, such as housing, health, domestic violence, civil incarceration, and child custody.

About Us
Mission & Vision Our Team Our Work Funders & Supporters Contact
About Civil RTC
History CRTC Champions FAQ
News
Resource Library
Status Map Bibliographies Advocacy Tools Key Issue: Tenant RTC
Get Involved
Donate
Status Map