Presiding Circuit 14 Judge Scott Hayes announced that he will seek re-election as Circuit Judge.

The 14th Judicial Circuit includes Howard and Randolph counties. Hayes was elected Circuit Judge in 2006, and was re-elected in 2012 and 2018. His current term expires on Dec. 31, 2024. He will appear on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election.

“Through my years as your public servant, I have worked hard to give us all a better quality of life by making the community safer and providing everyone a fair and efficient forum,” said Judge Hayes. “I am asking people once again to put their faith in me and vote for me for Circuit Judge.”

Judge Hayes has dedicated his career to serving the public as a former Associate Circuit Judge, Assistant Public Defender, and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. In addition, he has served on the Missouri Supreme Court by special assignment. Prior to graduating from the University of Missouri with degrees in Education and Law, Judge Hayes served in the United States Air Force.

As the Circuit Judge, Hayes is not only responsible for handling court cases for a wide array of crimes ranging from trespassing to murder, but he is tasked with the day-to-day administration and supervision of the Circuit. This includes the assignment of cases, clerks, scheduling, budgeting, and security coordination. 

Added tasks taking precedent in recent years include the continuity of service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was important to me that we kept the cases moving through the Court, and in a manner which assured that everyone’s safety and comfort levels were met,” Judge Hayes said. “It was especially a challenge in light of the continually changing information and governmental mandates, as well as those from the Missouri Supreme Court.”

Judge Hayes attributes his success to the assistance of the county commissions, the lawyers, clerks, and other judges. “I appreciate everyone’s cooperation and assistance on making it through this period of uncertainty. With your help, we have shown that people getting their day in court is a certainty.” 

Hayes said he is especially proud of the fact that it was just recently announced that the Circuit will once again be awarded the Daniel O’Toole award for efficiency. The 14th Circuit has received the honor every year since the award’s inception in 1998.

Judge Hayes said that a new and recent arduous task involves handling thousands of old files to satisfy the new rules and requirements for the marijuana expungements mandated by the amendments to the Missouri Constitution. He reports that these are going well. 

“I want to thank Judges Gebhardt and Cooksey and Circuit Clerks Chapman and Syferd for taking on this added workload to ensure that all of these new laws and requirements are met.” Hayes said.

In addition to the above duties, Judge Hayes created and presides over the Randolph County Drug Court. 

“I am excited to try and help these offenders with addictions get their lives back and make them law-abiding taxpayers and parents,” he said. “By having a more strenuous program like drug court, we actually hold these folks more accountable than most and provide them with tools to change. Incarceration always remains an option to those that don’t.”