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.
King County WA creates right to counsel for certain crime victim families
A King County WA ordinance enacted in 2018 provides a right to counsel for families of police violence victims at inquest proceedings.
Florida constitutional amendment would have guaranteed counsel for dependent children
A proposed constitutional amendment would have guaranteed counsel for all Florida dependent children, but it did not make it out of committee.
Supreme Court of Ohio strengthens parental right to counsel
A new decision from the Supreme Court of Ohio creates a stronger standard for waiver of a parent's right to counsel in the termination context.
Vermont bill would establish right to counsel for immigration matters
A bill would require the appointment of counsel for immigrants in various kinds of immigration proceedings.
MA trial court issues historic right to counsel decision
A Massachusetts trial court ordered the appointment of an attorney ad litem in a housing eviction case.
WA court says child should have been appointed counsel
A Washington Court of Appeals held that a trial court should have appointed counsel for a child in a dependency proceeding.
Report: Turner’s “procedural safeguards” have failed in South Carolina
A report studying the impact of Turner v. Rogers in the child support context has found that most indigent obligors are still incarcerated
Washington State creates, expands rule for appointment of counsel for litigants with disabilities
A court rule permits appointment of counsel for a person with disabilities as a reasonable accommodation. The rule applies to admin cases too.
Louisiana requires counsel for contempt hearings
A bill passed in 2017 requires the court to appoint counsel when a defendant is held in contempt for failure to comply with a repayment plan.
Nevada Legislature rewrites guardianship law to strengthen right to counsel
The Nevada Legislature strengthened the right to counsel for protected persons in guardianship cases in several ways.
NH Legislature moves to require counsel prior to fees/fines incarceration
The NH Legislature enacted a bill in 2017 that requires appointment of counsel prior to incarceration for failure to pay criminal fees/fines.
Minnesota passes bill strengthening child’s right to counsel
A 2017 bill strengthened the right to appointed counsel for Minnesota children 10 and over in abuse and TPR cases.
