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.
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.
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
Nevada Legislature rewrites guardianship law to strengthen right to counsel
The Nevada Legislature strengthened the right to counsel for protected persons in guardianship cases in several ways.
NH Legislature moves to require counsel prior to fees/fines incarceration
The NH Legislature enacted a bill in 2017 that requires appointment of counsel prior to incarceration for failure to pay criminal fees/fines.
Iowa enacts law separating GAL and attorney roles for children in custody cases
A 2017 law separates the role of guardian ad litem and attorney for children in custody cases.
SC Supreme Court: Right to counsel in sex offender commitment cases
The Supreme Court of South Carolina held there is a constitutional right to appointed counsel in sex offender commitment cases.
