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.
White House version of Tenant Bill of Rights includes right to counsel
The recently-released White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights urges states to give tenants a right to counsel.
New disability policy framework includes right to counsel
New guidelines from the Disability Economic Justice Collaborative call for the inclusion of right to counsel as a reasonable accommodation.
Alaska expands right to counsel for children
Provides for mandatory and discretionary appointment of counsel for children 10 years of age or older in CINA cases in certain circumstances.
KY appeals court: Denial of counsel for noncustodial parent was reversible error
The Kentucky Court of Appeals held that the failure to appoint counsel in a dependency proceeding required reversal of the termination order.
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.
Colorado appellate court recognizes right to counsel in contempt cases post-Turner
The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled that indigent parents in child support contempt cases pursued by the government have a right to counsel.
Michigan court: effective assistance of counsel needed for civil commitments
A Michigan Court of Appeals held that respondents in Michigan civil commitment proceedings are entitled to effective assistance of counsel.
ACLU/NCCRC report flags eviction’s harms, RTC’s promise
A joint report by the ACLU and NCCRC reviews the data on the widepsread consequences of evictions and right to counsel's impact on the problem.
PA report urges statewide eviction right to counsel
A report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center urges the state to fund a right to counsel for tenants statewide.
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.
MA high court avoids question of right to counsel in DV cases
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts declined to answer whether indigent defendants are entitled to counsel in protection order cases.
California high court working group calls for tenant right to counsel
A report by a working group created by the Supreme Court of California Chief Justice calls for a statewide tenant right to counsel.
