An obstacle to equality for defendants, Madden system should be replaced, says NJSBA. The New Jersey State Bar Association argued that the Madden system of assignments is an obstacle to equality and a disservice to indigent defendants, during its appearance as amicus curiae in Camden County. Assignment Judge Deborah Silverman Katz heard the NJSBA’s position on the issue of whether attorney Michael Haya should be relieved of his Madden assignment. Haya received an assignment off of the Madden list to represent an indigent defendant on a charge of contempt of domestic violence.

“We are asking this court to find that the Madden system of random assignments does not meet the constitutional mandate to provide effective assistance of counsel to indigent defendants,” said NJSBA President Jeralyn L. Lawrence, who argued the matter for the NJSBA.