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
One appellate court determined that constitutional appointment of counsel for respondents in protective order cases is on a case-by-case basis.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for the subject of a civil commitment proceeding, including appeal of any commitment order.
Right to attorney GAL
Children have the right to an attorney-GAL in abuse and termination of parental rights cases.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for subjects of a civil commitment proceeding.
Right to counsel
Indigent parents have a right to counsel in abuse/neglect proceedings.
Right to counsel
Children have a right to an attorney in abuse/neglect proceedings, although the attorney's role is unclear.
Discretionary appointment – “Convicts,” minors, or “incompetent persons”
Courts must appoint an attorney-GAL for an infant, incompetent person, or convict.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for indigent defendants in forfeiture proceedings under the West Virginia Contraband Forfeiture Act.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for indigent persons for various types of civil commitment proceedings.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
The WI Supreme Court held that courts must make a case-by case determination of whether to appoint counsel in abuse/neglect cases.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
A court may appoint counsel for the victim in domestic violence cases.
Right to counsel – Child Requiring Assistance proceedings
Parents are entitled to counsel in Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) cases in certain circumstances.
