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 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.
CityHealth ranks cities on tenant right to counsel policies
CityHealth, which ranks cities on their policies, is making a push in conjunction with the NCCRC for cities to adopt a tenant right to counsel.
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.
Conservatees entitled to counsel upon communicating their wish to terminate
Conservatees have a right to counsel in seeking to terminate a conservatorship.
California creates CARE Program for mental health
Respondents in CARE proceedings have a right to counsel.
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.
Right to counsel but no such proceeding
Though a minor seeking to bypass the parental consent requirements for an abortion has the right to counsel, abortion is effectively banned.
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.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
A 2022 law changed appointment of counsel for birth parents in adoption cases from mandatory to discretionary.
Colorado adds right to counsel for older children in abuse/neglect cases
In 2022, Colorado added the right to client-directed counsel for older children in abuse/neglect cases.
Discretionary appointment under “exceptional circumstances”
In 2022, the Indiana Supreme Court found that courts may appoint counsel for individuals whose property is subject to forfeiture.
