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.
California high court working group calls for tenant right to counsel
A report by a working group created by the Supreme Court of California Chief Justice calls for a statewide tenant right to counsel.
NCCRC recognizes the eviction right to counsel movement’s movers and shakers
In January 2022, We celebrated the eviction right to counsel movement and its leaders.
MD high court: Right to counsel for patients facing forced medication
The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that involuntarily committed patients objecting to medication have a right to counsel.
CA joins states guaranteeing counsel in conservatorship cases
A 2021 change to the law guarantees appointment of counsel in conservatorship cases.
Arkansas adds limited right to counsel for parents in adoptions
A court must appoint counsel for a birth parent, but only for certain types of adoption and only with respect to filing or revoking consent.
Right to an attorney ad litem
Pro se minor parties in interpersonal protective order (IPO) and domestic violence order (DVO) cases have a right to an attorrney ad litem.
Kentucky high court finds that unrepresented minors are entitled to an attorney ad litem
Pro se minor parties in interpersonal protective order (IPO) and domestic violence order (DVO) cases have a right to an attorrney ad litem.
Minnesota makes parent counsel mandatory in abuse/neglect cases
A 2021 bill changed the law such that appointment of counsel for parents in abuse/neglect cases is mandatory, not discretionary.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
The court may appoint counsel for Missouri children in truancy cases, which are treated as "child in need of care or treatment" matters.
Right to counsel
Indigent parents in termination of parental rights cases have the right to counsel, and counsel shall be appointed if the parent desires.
New polling data shows strong support for eviction right to counsel
Data for Progress has released new polling data showing the American public strongly supports a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
WA State guarantees counsel for many children in child welfare cases
As the result of 2021 legislation, many Washington State children are now guaranteed independent counsel in child welfare cases.
