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.
Acting on CT legislative task force suggestions, Legislature enacts DV representation pilot
A new DV representation pilot follows a recommendation of the legislative Task Force to Improve Access to Counsel in Civil Matters.
Appellate Court: Child’s right to counsel in adoptions is mandatory
A Louisiana court held that a child's right to counsel in adoption cases is not subject to waiver and must be strictly enforced.
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.
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.
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.
