Right to counsel

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Legislation, Bypass of Parental Input into Abortion - Minor (Pre-Dobbs)

Minors have a right to counsel when seeking judicial waiver of the parental consent requirement for an abortion. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3206(e) ("The court shall … advise her that she has a right to court appointed counsel, and shall provide her with such counsel unless she wishes to appear with private counsel or has knowingly and intelligently waived representation by counsel.").

 

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Note: Since the U.S. Supreme Court decision's in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, 142 S.Ct. 2228 (2022), the laws governing abortion are complicated and rapidly changing.  This major development may not be current since Dobbs.  For up-to-date information about the status of abortion by state, please see Center for Reproductive Rights, After Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by State.

Appointment of Counsel: categorical Qualified: no