Consolidated appeal from 3 child protection cases in which court vacated appointment of Public Defender's (PD) office for a parent, and all stakeholders involved disagree with the propriety of that vacatur. No case law supports court's conclusion that the assigned assistant PDs were inadequately trained to litigate in the Early Childhood Court or had rendered inadequate or erratic representation. Illinois Supreme Court rules allow internal training at PD's office to satisfy requirements for representation in child custody cases. Record does not support court's concerns about continuity of representation. Reversed and remanded for further proceedings in 2 cases; appeal dismissed as to 1 case in which the Respondent father acquiesced in the appointment of alternative counsel.(WALKER and PIERCE, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Right to Counsel