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.
Right to counsel – trial and appeal
Indigent parents are entitled to counsel in termination of parental rights cases and for appeals.
Right to counsel
Courts must appoint counsel for dependent children in termination cases, and otherwise have discretion to appoint.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
A court may appoint counsel for a child in traditional custody proceedings if it would be in the child's best interest.
Right to counsel
Indigent parents have a right to counsel in most adoption proceedings.
Right to counsel – Disabled spouse in property transfer
A statute requires counsel upon request for a spouse alleged to lack legal capacity for a proposed transaction involving community property.
Right to counsel
California provides a right to counsel for indigent respondents in various types of civil commitment proceedings.
Right to counsel
There is a right to counsel for indigent respondents in sexually violent predator commitment cases, including for review of the commitment.
Right to counsel
A California statute requires appointment of counsel for an indigent endangered adult in emergency protective matters.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
A court may appoint counsel for the petitioner in protection order enforcement cases, and can order the respondent to pay the counsel fees.
Right to counsel – Incarcerated individuals
The California Supreme Court has said that incarcerated persons have a right to counsel in certain circumstances.
Right to counsel
The California Supreme Court found a state and federal constitutional right to counsel in certain paternity proceedings.
Right to counsel
The California Supreme Court found a right to counsel for respondents in civil commitments.
