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.
Legislation: minor plaintiffs in DV proceedings
These bills would require appointment of counsel for minor plaintiffs in protection from abuse proceedings.
Federal agency: all parents/children should be represented in child welfare cases
DHHS' Administration for Children and Families has issued a memo calling for counsel for all parents/children in child welfare cases.
Legislation (dead): adult guardianships
These bills would have provided a right to counsel for prospective adult wards in guardianship proceedings.
Legislation (dead): termination of parental rights
This bill would have removed the indigency requirement for a parent to have a right to counsel in termination of parental rights cases.
Legislation (dead): civil forfeiture
This bill would have abolished civil forfeiture and provided a right to counsel for criminal forfeiture proceedings.
Legislation (dead): civil forfeiture
This bill would have required a criminal conviction prior to forfeiture, and authorized the PD's office to represent an individual.
Utah high court: some parents have right to counsel in private termination cases
The Supreme Court of Utah held that parents may be constitutionally entitled to counsel in private termination of rights cases.
MA Senate Committee, Trial Court reports flag right to counsel issues in fees/fines cases
Reports from a MA Senate Committee and MA Trial Court Working Group call for a right to counsel in fees/fines cases.
NY court: wards have constitutional right to counsel in Art. 17-A guardianship proceedings
A NY Surrogate's Court held that proposed wards have a constitutional right to counsel in Article 17-A guardianship cases.
NIJ study released on effect of counsel for DV victims
A study on the impact of providing counsel for DV victims was conducted by the University of Iowa and Iowa Legal Aid.
Delaware grants right to counsel for children
A law passed in 2016 requires the court to appoint an attorney for a child to act as guardian ad litem in abuse and termination cases.
California Legislature calls for fed gov’t to ensure counsel for children in immigration cases
SJR 28, passed by the California Assembly, urges the federal government to guarantee counsel for children in immigration cases.
