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.
Report: multidisciplinary rep for parents reduces foster care use
A comprehensive, multi-year study found that providing multidisciplinary representation for parents in child welfare cases improved outcomes.
Ninth Circuit twice dodges question of right to counsel for kids in immigration cases
Two federal cases sought a right to counsel for all immigrant children in deportation proceedings, but the Ninth Circuit avoided both cases.
State adds right to counsel for extended foster care
A new New Mexico law adds voluntary extended foster care for children aging out and provides counsel for children who opt in.
Report: Hennepin County MN tenants w/rep 2x more likely to stay in homes
A report on tenant representation Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid found that tenants experienced far better outcomes with counsel.
NJ court: counsel must be appointed prior to suspending driver’s licenses
A NJ trial court has held the state must appoint counsel prior to suspending a person's driver's license for inability to pay child support.
Vermont Supreme Court affirms right to counsel in contempt proceedings
The Vermont Supreme Court re-affirmed the right to counsel in contempt proceedings involving incarceration.
Acting on CT legislative task force suggestions, Legislature enacts DV representation pilot
A new DV representation pilot follows a recommendation of the legislative Task Force to Improve Access to Counsel in Civil Matters.
PA court: fees/fines defendants have right to appointed counsel
The Pennsylvania Superior Court held defendants have a right to appointed counsel prior to being incarcerated for failure to pay fees/fines.
Fed court: NJ township violated defendant’s right to counsel in fees/fines case
A federal court held that a NJ township violated defendants' right to counsel in its handling of fees/fines cases.
Utah becomes 27th state to guarantee counsel for parents in private termination cases
A statute amended in 2018 and 2021 requires counsel for a parent in a juvenile court private termination of parental rights case.
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.
U.S. Senate hearings on adult guardianship address right to counsel
The U.S. Senate's Special Committee on Aging held hearings on state guardianship proceedings, and the right to counsel was discussed.
