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.
Enacted UGCOPA Act clarifies guardianship counsel is client-directed, but weakens protections in conservatorships
A 2026 law guarantees adults client-directed counsel in guardianship establishment cases but discretionary appointment in conservatorships.
Bill that would’ve rolled back child’s right to counsel dies
SB 1234 would have repealed the child's RTC, replacing it with an attorney ad litem and discretionary appointment of counsel.
The right to counsel in immigration cases.
The extensive enforcement actions of Homeland Security and ICE have raised many right to counsel questions, and not just for immigration cases.
Forfeiture right to counsel bill dies in Chamber
A 2026 bill would have provided counsel to certain individuals in forfeiture matters.
Bill to extend counsel to temporary emergency admissions matters dies
HB 2512 would have extended counsel to facets of involuntary medical treatment matters, but it died in Committee.
Assisted outpatient treatment bill dies in Committee
A 2026 bill would have created a process for assisted outpatient treatment and an associated right to counsel
Report highlights major flaws of state civil forfeiture laws, including lack of RTC
A report by the Institute for Justice walks through the major due process problems created by the state civil forfeiture laws.
