Dennis O., Appellant v. Stephanie O., Appellee

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the denial of an indigent father's request for appointed counsel in a child-custody modification proceeding. It held that due process does not categorically require counsel when the opposing parent is represented by private counsel, and that the circumstances of this case did not create an individual due process right because the father had a meaningful opportunity to present his case. The court also held that the statutory distinction between indigent parents facing publicly represented opponents and those facing privately represented opponents does not violate equal protection.