State v. David H.
The dissenting opinion by Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr. addresses the denial of appointed counsel in dependent and neglect proceedings involving parents David H. and Mary Ellen H. While concurring with the majority's legal principles on the right to counsel, the dissent argues that the parents' irresponsible actions and omissions justified the trial court's decisions to deny appointed counsel. The trial court, presided over by Judge Harris and Judge Davies, found the parents not indigent based on their income and lack of diligence in seeking legal representation. The dissenting judge concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion and would have affirmed its decisions to deny the requests for appointed counsel.