Tennessee
Categorical Right To Counsel
Discretionary Appointment Of Counsel
Right Or Appointment Is Qualified
No Such Proceeding
No Authorization, But Relevant Materials
Other
Doesn't Affect
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents
Legislation
February 12, 2025
SB0485
Requires counsel for parents and custodians of Indian children in removal, placement and TPR; permits appointment of counsel for Indian kids.
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Qualified
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children
Legislation
Key Development
Right to attorney GAL
Courts must appoint an attorney-GAL for children in abuse/neglect proceedings.
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Key Development
February 12, 2025
SB0485
Requires counsel for parents and custodians of Indian children in removal, placement and TPR; permits appointment of counsel for Indian kids.
Read More
Doesn't Affect
All Basic Human Needs
Bar Effort
November 18, 2013
Tennessee Bar Civil Right to Counsel Event Gets AP Coverage
The AP covered a civil right to counsel event by the TN Bar and Legal Aid of West TN held on Friday, Nov. 22.
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Doesn't Affect
Forfeiture (incomplete)
Legislation
March 28, 2023
Forfeiture right to counsel bills have died
Cross-filed bills would have provided a right to counsel for certain defendants in civil asset forfeiture matters.
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Report
November 1, 2018
Civil Rights Commission: Tennessee forfeiture proceedings should include counsel
A civil rights report critiques Tennessee's civil forfeiture practices for not providing a right to counsel for property owners.
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Doesn't Affect
Housing - Evictions
Legislation
October 16, 2013
Report: Davidson County TN tenant rep program delivering benefits to tenants
A 2023 report found that Davidson County's tenant representation program was delivering significant financial and other benefits to tenants.
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Report
April 23, 2024
Studies measure Chattanooga tenant rep pilot impact
Several reports examining Chattaooga's Eviction Prevention Initiative find it has a number of benefits.
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Pilot
March 20, 2025
Report: Nashville tenant rep pilot meets tenant goals, saves money
A report on Nashville's tenant rep pilot found it helped 93% of tenants avoid eviction / involuntary move while saving millions of dollars.
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Doesn't Affect
Other subject area
Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents
Legislation
Key Development
January 1, 2009
Legislature extends parent's right to counsel to adoption proceedings
The Tennessee legislature amended the code to extend the right to counsel to parents in adoption proceedings.
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Doesn't Affect
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents
Litigation
April 5, 2024
Appellate court finds withdrawal of mother's attorney violated fundamental fairness
An appellate court reversed termination of a mother's parental rights where the trial court allowed her attorney to withdraw the day of trial.
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Legislation
February 12, 2025
SB0485
Requires counsel for parents and custodians of Indian children in removal, placement and TPR; permits appointment of counsel for Indian kids.
Read More
Qualified
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children
Legislation
Key Development
Right to attorney GAL
Courts must appoint an attorney-GAL for children in termination proceedings.
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Key Development
February 12, 2025
SB0485
Requires counsel for parents and custodians of Indian children in removal, placement and TPR; permits appointment of counsel for Indian kids.
Read More
Categorical
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents
Qualified
Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Children
Categorical
Adult Protective Proceedings - Protected Person
Discretionary
All Basic Human Needs
Categorical
Bypass of Parental Input into Abortion - Minor (Pre-Dobbs)
Categorical
Civil Commitment
Qualified
Civil Contempt in Family Court
Discretionary
Custody Disputes - Children
Qualified
Guardianship/Conservatorship of Adults - Protected Person
Qualified
Incarceration for Fees/Fines (incomplete)
Qualified
Quarantine/Isolation
No Such Proceeding
Sexually Dangerous Persons - Commitment
No Such Proceeding
Sterilization
Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Birth Parents
Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (Private) - Children
Categorical
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Birth Parents
Qualified
Termination of Parental Rights (State) - Children
Qualified