James Buchanan Hays (September 10, 1838 – May 31, 1888) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist.

Born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania,[1] Hays moved with his family to Ashippun, Wisconsin Territory, in 1847.

On July 1, 1885, Hays received a recess appointment as Chief Justice of the Idaho Territorial Supreme Court from President Grover Cleveland.

[4] He was formally nominated by Cleveland on December 14, 1885, and confirmed by the senate on October 2, 1886.

[5][6] Hays died in Boise, Idaho Territory, while still in office[7][8] and was buried in Wisconsin.