Sidestepping Lassiter on the Path to Civil Gideon: Civil Douglas

You must be a Clearinghouse Review subscriber to view this article. Log in or subscribe.

One of the challenges facing the movement to establish a right to counsel in civil cases is the presumption against such a right in Lassiter v. Department of Social Services. However, by following the doctrinal path set forth in Douglas v. California and its procedurally based right to counsel on appeal, advocates may overcome the Lassiter presumption and clear the way to a civil right to counsel.

By Steven D. Schwinn From July-August 2006