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.
MA moves to guarantee counsel for all fees/fines incarceration
A bill passed in 2018 guarantees counsel for all those subject to incarceration for failure to pay any money owed.
Wisconsin takes step towards right to counsel for parents
A new 2018 law creates pilot programs that provide a right to counsel for parents in CHIPS cases in 5 counties.
NY appellate ct: trial court erred in imputing income for appointed counsel decision
An appellate court in New York held that trial courts cannot impute income in determining whether a person is entitled to appointed counsel.
New national reports call for right to counsel in housing cases
New reports by the Center for Social Innovation and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty support a right to counsel in evictions.
Wisconsin pilot finds DV rep improves outcomes, saves money
A Wisconsin pilot project found that providing representation to victims of domestic violence improved personal/family safety and saved money.
ACLU report decries private debt collection, calls for right to counsel
A new report by the ACLU looks at the collection of private debt and the need for counsel to protect debtors from incarceration.
ABA adopts NCCRC-authored resolution on right to counsel
A new ABA resolution, authored by the NCCRC, calls for a right to counsel whenever physical liberty is at stake.
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.
Vermont bill would establish right to counsel for immigration matters
A bill would require the appointment of counsel for immigrants in various kinds of immigration proceedings.
MA trial court issues historic right to counsel decision
A Massachusetts trial court ordered the appointment of an attorney ad litem in a housing eviction case.
WA court says child should have been appointed counsel
A Washington Court of Appeals held that a trial court should have appointed counsel for a child in a dependency proceeding.
Report: Turner’s “procedural safeguards” have failed in South Carolina
A report studying the impact of Turner v. Rogers in the child support context has found that most indigent obligors are still incarcerated
