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
The Alaska Supreme Court has held that indigent parents have a state constitutional right to counsel in certain custody proceedings.
New uniform law expands protections in adult guardianship proceedings
An updated uniform act improves the right to counsel for adult wards in guardianship proceedings.
Legislation: higher education proceedings
This bill would require counsel for an indigent higher education student subject to disciplinary proceeding due to allegation of a crime.
Wisconsin case addresses RTCl for involuntary treatment of pregnant women
A Wisconsin case raised the issue of right to counsel when pregnant women are involuntarily treated for alleged child endangerment.
Wisconsin case addresses right to counsel for confinement of pregnant women
A Wisconsin case raised the issue of right to counsel when pregnant women are civilly committed for alleged child endangerment.
NCCRC gives input to 2017 UN Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty
NCCRC collaborated on a report to a UN Rapporteur urging the recognition of a right to counsel in civil cases as a way of combatting poverty.
Delaware Access to Justice Commission subcommittees call for right to counsel
A report by several subcommittees of the Delaware Access to Justice Commission urges recognition of a right to counsel for more civil cases.
US Commission on Civil Rights calls for counsel in fees/fines cases
The US Commission on Civil Rights released a report regarding the need for counsel prior to incarceration for failure to pay fees/fines.
Conference of State Court Administrators urges counsel for all child welfare cases
COSCA has released a new child welfare policy urging all state courts to provide counsel for parents and children in child welfare cases.
ABA resolution calls for right to counsel in immigration cases
ABA Resolution 115, adopted at the 2017 ABA Annual conference, supports a right to counsel in immigration court.
NCCRC Coordinator appears on WNPR’s “Where We Live” program
NCCRC Coordinator John Pollock was on WNPR's "Where We Live" program to discuss the right to counsel in civil cases.
UN report raises need for counsel in all detention cases
A report by the UN Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention discussed the need for counsel whenever a person faces any kind of detention.
