In re C.M.
163 N.H. 768
| N.H. | 2012Background
- Interlocutory transfer from Superior Court on whether NH or Federal due process requires appointed counsel for indigent parents in abuse/neglect cases under RSA chapter 169-C.
- DCYF petitioned for custody of two children after ex parte order granted custody to DCYF.
- Preliminary hearing found reasonable cause to believe abuse/neglect; counsel appointed for parents.
- Legislation amended RSA 169-C:10, 11(a) abolishing the right to counsel for indigent parents in 2011.
- Court applied Mathews v. Eldridge three-prong test to evaluate due process under State Constitution.
- Court held no per se right to counsel; case-by-case determination may require counsel; federal protections align with state result; remanded to consider case-specific needs.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does Part I, Art. 2/Art. 15 NH Constitution or the Fourteenth Amendment require counsel for indigent parents in abuse/neglect cases as a per se right? | Parents argue a constitutional right to counsel; per se rule. | State contends no per se right; case-by-case analysis sufficient. | No per se right; case-by-case determination required. |
| Should the trial court determine in each case whether counsel is necessary to prevent erroneous deprivation of parental rights? | Counsel is necessary to prevent errors and protect fundamental rights. | Procedural protections and statute suffice to reduce risk without universal counsel. | Trial court must decide on a case-by-case basis whether counsel is needed. |
Key Cases Cited
- Lassiter v. Department of Social Services, 452 U.S. 18 (U.S. 1981) (no automatic right to counsel in termination proceedings; Mathews factors used for case-by-case)
- In re Brittany S., 147 N.H. 489 (N.H. 2002) (three-prong Mathews approach applied in NH abuse/neglect)
- In re Kotey M., 158 N.H. 358 (N.H. 2009) (case management of due process in neglect proceedings)
- In re Guardianship of Nicholas P., 162 N.H. 199 (N.H. 2011) (parental rights considered essential; counsel considerations discussed)
- Lassiter (quoted as precedent), 452 U.S. 18 (U.S. 1981) (foundation for case-by-case counsel analysis in NH)
- State v. Hall, 154 N.H. 180 (N.H. 2006) (no per se right to counsel in certain proceedings)