Hayden is a native of rural Conecuh County in south, central Alabama. She was raised on a farm near Castleberry and her ordinary roots are evident in her southern drawl. After graduating from a public high school, she earned her first Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Faulkner University. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Justice & Public Safety from Auburn University at Montgomery. She served the community for over four years as an Emergency Dispatcher in Escambia County, Alabama. Followed by six years of service at Holman Prison as a Classification Specialist for the Alabama Department of Corrections. Hayden has the unique experience of firsthand experience from initial law enforcement encounters through the justice system and incarceration.

She earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in September 2020. Thereafter, she was admitted to the federal bar in the Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. After law school, she earned her second Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Troy University where she focused on psychology.

Hayden has practiced in Alabama’s trial courts throughout central Alabama, as well as all of Alabama’s appellate courts, where she has filed countless direct appeals and numerous extraordinary writs. Hayden primarily focuses her practice on criminal defense for both adults and juveniles, but also represents parents in juvenile dependency actions and serves as a Guardian ad Litem for minor children. She currently serves as the attorney for Central Alabama CrimeStoppers.

Hayden has served as a public defender in Montgomery Municipal Court defending hundreds of citizens against misdemeanor criminal charges. She previously worked in the Mass Torts section of the prestigious Beasley Allen Law Firm and for Barfoot & Schoettker, LLC.

Passionate about public safety, Hayden has completed training in emergency medical services, law enforcement, and fire science. She serves as a panel attorney for the Southern States Police Benevolent Association (“PBA”) and plan attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police (“FOP”). Recently, Hayden completed additional training in Officer Involved Shootings and Use of Force Investigations to be prepared to assist law enforcement officers in the aftermath of critical incidents. Hayden’s representation in administrative and employment related matters is limited to first responders, including certified peace officers and firefighters.

She is a member of the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (“ACDLA”) and the Hugh Maddox Chapter of the American Inns of Court.