Judge Hayes retires from Dutchess County Court

December 29, 2010

New York: Judge Gerald V. Hayes is retiring at the end of 2010 from the Dutchess County Court in New York, where he has served for 10 years. The 69-year-old judge was first elected to this position in November of 2000. Since the mandatory age of retirement for judges in New York is 70, he was not able to seek a second term. Longtime defense attorney William Tendy stated, "He always took the time to listen, and he knew the law and that made him a terrific judge...His shoes will be difficult to fill." Prior to becoming a judge, Hayes had worked as a lawyer in Dutchess County since 1971. He spent 12 years as a prosecutor and 18 years as a defense attorney.