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.
Right to counsel
Children in abuse/neglect cases are entitled to a GAL who is an attorney.
Right to counsel – Voluntary extension of foster care
A 2018 law permits a court to appoint counsel for a child who voluntarily agrees to extend foster care.
Right to counsel – Student making terroristic threat
A bill passed in 2018 requires the appointment of counsel for a student subjected to mental health evaluation after making a terroristic threat.
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.
Right to counsel – Reinstatement of parental rights
The court must appoint counsel for an indigent child in foster care where a petition to reinstate parental rights is filed.
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.
NCCRC Coordinator delivers keynote speech in Minnesota
NCCRC Coordinator John Pollock delivered a keynote speech on right to counsel to an audience of 400 people in Minnesota in November.
Civil Rights Commission: Tennessee forfeiture proceedings should include counsel
A civil rights report critiques Tennessee's civil forfeiture practices for not providing a right to counsel for property owners.
Philadelphia divorce study finds representation makes big difference
A study found that those who received full representation in divorce cases were significantly more successful in completing their divorces.
