Santa Monica explores eviction right to counsel
While a state may have many statutes, court decisions, or court rules governing
appointment of counsel for a particular subject area, a "Key Development" is a
statute/decision/rule that prevails over the others (example: a state high court
decision finding a categorical right to counsel in guardianships cases takes
precedence over a statute saying appointment in guardianship cases is
discretionary).
04/10/2021,
Legislation, Housing - Evictions
In December 2019, the Santa Monica (California) City Council passed an ordinance stating the City's intention to enact a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction. The Santa Monica Daily Press has more.
Then, in April 2021, the City announced the creation of a right to counsel pilot program.
If "yes",
the established right to counsel or
discretionary appointment of counsel
is
limited
in some way, including any of: the only authority
is a
lower/intermediate court decision or a city council,
not a high court or state legislature; there
has been
a subsequent case that
has
cast doubt; a statute
is
ambiguous; or the right or discretionary appointment
is not
for all types of individuals or proceedings
within that category.
categorical
yes
