R.D. v. State Department of Human Resources

In Alabama, indigent parents have a statutory right to appointed counsel in a proceeding to terminate parental rights. See Ala.Code 1975, § 12-15-63(b); Valero v. State Dep’t of Human Resources, 511 So.2d 200, 202 (Ala.Civ.App.1987); Matter of Ward, 351 So.2d 571, 573 (Ala.Civ.App.1977). “[Ijnherent [in] a parent’s right to legal representation in a deprivation hearing is the right to effective assistance of counsel.” Crews v. Houston County Dep’t of Pensions & Security, 858 So.2d 451, 454 (Ala.Civ.App.1978).

I do not believe that, under most circumstances or under the circumstances of this…