Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard has been suspended from her duties in Alabama, following a comprehensive 120-page complaint filed by the state’s Judicial Inquiry Commission. The formal complaint outlines a series of alleged misconduct findings, including an alleged racially charged remark directed at a staff member and significant disruptions to the routine operations of the probate court.
"Oh, I forgot you all like kissing white ass." — Judge Yashiba Blanchard, Jefferson County Probate Judge (alleged)
The disciplinary action by the commission led to Judge Blanchard’s removal from the bench, with retired Judge Sherri Friday being sworn in as an interim replacement to ensure the continuity of essential probate court functions. The complaint details multiple concerns regarding Blanchard’s conduct during her tenure. Among the specific allegations is a reported remark made to Chief Clerk Amanda Reid, who is white. According to the filing, after a staff member offered positive feedback about working with Reid, Judge Blanchard allegedly stated, “Oh, I forgot you all like kissing white ass.” This exchange is cited by investigators as indicative of broader workplace tensions within the courthouse, as reported by AL.com.
Beyond the personnel issues, the Judicial Inquiry Commission’s filing also details a range of administrative and operational problems within the probate court system. The report states that court scheduling and the handling of cases were adversely affected by inconsistent attendance and delays attributed to Judge Blanchard. These issues are said to have contributed to widespread disruptions in routine judicial proceedings, impacting the court's ability to fulfill its statutory obligations.
One of the most serious findings highlighted in the report concerns involuntary mental health commitment hearings. The commission alleges that these legally required hearings were not conducted for the first nine months of Judge Blanchard’s term. This lapse resulted in a substantial backlog, leaving approximately 120 patients awaiting crucial court proceedings related to hospital placement and mental health evaluations, according to Townhall. The report further cites repeated last-minute cancellations and delays in various court activities, with one instance referenced by the New York Post where Blanchard allegedly told staff she was late because she "had three dogs to walk."
Retired Judge Sherri Friday, who has assumed the interim judicial role, emphasized the critical nature of consistent, day-to-day judicial attention required in probate courts. Speaking to 1819 News, Judge Friday noted the strict statutory deadlines that govern many probate matters, particularly those involving mental health commitments and conservatorships. "There are a lot of things that the probate court deals with that are very daily," Friday stated. "The commitment hearings, particularly, are much more daily." She further explained that conservatorship rulings often must be finalized within 30 days, and other probate matters operate under narrow procedural timelines that offer little flexibility for delays.
Judge Blanchard’s case is now progressing through Alabama’s established judicial discipline system. Complaints reviewed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission can advance to the Court of the Judiciary, where formal hearings are held, and potential sanctions, including suspension or permanent removal from office, may be imposed. The filing also references additional concerns raised by attorneys and courthouse staff regarding management practices and internal operations, which remain under ongoing review and have not yet been formally adjudicated.
To date, Judge Blanchard has not publicly issued a detailed response to the full scope of the findings presented in the complaint. At this stage of the process, the allegations remain unproven and are subject to thorough review under Alabama’s judicial disciplinary procedures. The suspension and the underlying allegations have garnered significant attention within Alabama’s legal community, given the critical role probate courts play in handling time-sensitive matters such as estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
