People ex rel. Amendola v. Jackson

By this habeas corpus proceeding, petitioner raises an issue of substantial import involving an indigent’s right to court appointment of counsel at a Family Court hearing relative to violation of that court’s support order. Predicated upon the facts which follow and the current path of authoritative judicial pronouncements, this court concludes that every respondent who appears before the Family Court to answer for the alleged violation of its support orders, must be informed at the outset that if he has not the means to afford private counsel, the court will appoint an attorney to represent…