---
title: "Mitchell D. Hays | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mitchell-d-hays-circuit-court-judge-alabama-thirty-first-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Mitchell D. Hays

Alabama Thirty-First Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Thirty-First Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Alabama
- Role: Circuit Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media recording photography broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 permits televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings only as provided by Alabama judicial ethics canons, law, or another court rule.

Evidence excerpt: The taking of television pictures or other photographs in or of the courtroom during the progress of judicial proceedings or the radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings may be permitted as provided in Canon 3(A)(7) and (7B), Canons of Judicial Ethics, promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court, or as otherwise may be permitted by law or other rule of court.

[Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://colbert.alacourt.gov/judges)
- [Official roster](https://colbert.alacourt.gov/judges)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://colbert.alacourt.gov/judges)
- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Circuit court judge serving in Alabama’s 31st Judicial Circuit, appointed by Governor Ivey in January 2023 to replace Judge Jacqueline Hatcher

### Education


### Additional information

- Term: Under the Alabama Constitution, the appointee will not face re‐election until November 3, 2026
- Appointment: Appointed by Governor Kay Ivey on January 20, 2023 after Judge Hatcher’s resignation
- Brady List shows no disclosed Brady material
- Alabama does not maintain a functioning system for tracking such disclosures Brady List.
- Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 governs televising, photographing, or radio‐broadcasting judicial proceedings in his court, subject to Alabama judicial ethics canons.
- Judge Watch lists Hays with no current disciplinary records or public complaints.
- The Colbert County Republican Party and its Committee in the Republican Executive Committee (CREC) identified Hays as a qualified candidate from their party’s list before the governor’s appointment.
- This process involved candidate declarations, credential reviews, and interviews.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2bb56569e2cd3665169eeff4) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Criminal proceedings only.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.