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.
Discretionary appointment of counsel – standby guardianships
A court may appoint counsel for a child when petition by a standby guardian to assume custody is filed.
Report makes case for universal representation for immigrants
A report from New Jersey Policy Perspective shows that immigrants fare better and the state saves money when counsel is provided.
New Georgia law protects parents’ right to counsel
Waiver of a parent's right to counsel in child welfare cases now has to be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent, thanks to new legislation.
MA moves to guarantee counsel for all fees/fines incarceration
A bill passed in 2018 guarantees counsel for all those subject to incarceration for failure to pay any money owed.
Wisconsin takes step towards right to counsel for parents
A new 2018 law creates pilot programs that provide a right to counsel for parents in CHIPS cases in 5 counties.
NY appellate ct: trial court erred in imputing income for appointed counsel decision
An appellate court in New York held that trial courts cannot impute income in determining whether a person is entitled to appointed counsel.
Texas court: when parents square off in private termination case, kids must have counsel
A statute requires counsel for a child in a termination case unless their interests are adequately represented by another party.
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.
Pennsylvania adds right to counsel for sex offender registration proceedings
A bill passed in 2018 guarantees counsel for proceedings to determine the need for sexually violent predator registration.
Legislation: body attachments
A proposed bill would guarantee counsel when a body attachment to detain a tenant for failing to pay a money judgment to a landlord.
