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.
Florida SCT: right to counsel in termination proceedings survived SCOTUS opinion
The Florida Supreme Court upheld the due process right to counsel for indigent parents in termination proceedings, rejecting SCOTUS precedent.
Discretionary appointment of counsel for certain criminal defendants
A public defender in a criminal case may represent the criminal defendant in a related forfeiture proceeding.
Texas decriminalizes truancy, adds appointment of counsel provision
In 2015, Texas decriminalized truancy, prevented initial incarceration, and permitted the court to appoint counsel for the child.
MA Supreme Court: Parents have a right to counsel in abuse/neglect cases
The MA high court has said that the constitutional right to counsel applies to abuse/neglect cases.
Fed judge laments lack of right to counsel, recuses himself for helping pro se litigant
A federal judge felt he had to recuse himself after helping a pro se litigant, and pointed to the lack of a right to counsel as the problem.
Philadelphia Bar Chancellor Joins Chorus for Civil Right to Counsel
New Philadelphia Bar Chancellor Gaetan Alfano has said that civil right to counsel will be a priority during his term.
NCCRC participates in DOJ/White House meeting on debtor’s prison
The NCCRC joined a December meeting convened by the Department of Justice and the White House about the rise of debtor's prisons.
Study: detained immigrants 5.5x more likely to prevail with lawyer
A comprehensive study concluded that detained immigrants are 5.5 times more likely to avoid removal if they have a lawyer.
NH Supreme Court rejects attempt to truncate parental right to counsel
The NH Supreme Court rejected a proposed rule change that would have truncated a parent's right to counsel in dependency (abuse/neglect) cases.
WA State Bar: kids should have right to counsel in dependency proceedings
The Washington State Bar Association passed a resolution urging the state to guarantee lawyers for children in dependency (abuse/neglect) cases.
Missouri court: parents must be informed of right to counsel
A Missouri appellate court found that courts must tell parents they have a right to request appointment of counsel.
UNC Law School human rights report flags lack of right to counsel in civil cases
A new report by UNC Law School explains how lack of a civil right to counsel violates international human rights law.
