Quote Originally Posted by Malim
Felons have independent counsel through out the trial process. From the beginning, not only during appeal. And, if they can't afford a lawyer the state provides one for them. Unless they deny representation.
I don't get your distinction.

Criminal (felon) hires a lawyer - that's independent counsel to you - right?

Cannot afford one - state gives you one (that's really nice of us to do - kindness of our hearts).

There is no criminal case here - so the whole description I just ran off is not valid.

We have a civil issue here - the parents want to oversee the medical care of the daughter over the husband. That means those two side hire lawyers and beat each other up for 15 years.

The husband comes out the winner and pulls the tube.

I like that scenario - I certainly don't want the legal system getting involved in my medical care - that's absurd, big-brother, insane - simply not the way the US functions. We have individual rights - and her rights are assigned to the husband because of the medical condition she finds herself in.

There is no argument against any of this - every level of the legal system agrees - there is no way for it to change.