An Alabama probate judge has been suspended following a formal 120-page complaint filed by the state’s Judicial Inquiry Commission, outlining a series of misconduct findings that include alleged inappropriate remarks toward staff and significant disruptions to court operations.
Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard was removed from the bench after the commission moved forward with disciplinary action, prompting retired Judge Sherri Friday to be sworn in on an interim basis to maintain probate court functions.
The complaint describes multiple concerns tied to Blanchard’s conduct in office, including a reported racially charged remark directed at Chief Clerk Amanda Reid, who is white.
According to the filing, after a staff member expressed positive feedback about working with Reid, Blanchard allegedly said, “Oh, I forgot you all like kissing white ass.”
Investigators cite the exchange as part of broader workplace tensions within the courthouse, according to AL.com.
Beyond personnel issues, the filing details administrative and operational problems inside the probate court system.
It states that court scheduling and case handling were affected by inconsistent attendance and delays, contributing to disruptions in routine judicial proceedings.
One of the most serious findings referenced in the report concerns involuntary mental health commitment hearings.
The commission says such hearings were not held during the first nine months of Blanchard’s term, resulting in a backlog that left roughly 120 patients awaiting legally required court proceedings tied to hospital placement and mental health evaluation processes, according to Townhall.
The report also cites repeated last-minute cancellations and delays in court activity.
In one instance referenced by the New York Post, Blanchard allegedly told staff she was late because she “had three dogs to walk.”
Retired Judge Sherri Friday, who stepped in following the suspension, told 1819 News that probate courts require consistent, day-to-day judicial attention due to strict statutory deadlines, particularly in matters involving mental health commitments and conservatorships.
“There are a lot of things that the probate court deals with that are very daily,” Friday said. “The commitment hearings, particularly, are much more daily.”
She added that conservatorship rulings must often be completed within 30 days, while other probate matters operate under narrow procedural timelines that leave little flexibility for delay.
Blanchard’s case now proceeds through Alabama’s judicial discipline system, where complaints reviewed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission may advance to the Court of the Judiciary for hearings and potential sanctions, including suspension or removal from office.
The filing also references additional concerns raised by attorneys and courthouse staff regarding management practices and internal operations, which remain part of the ongoing review process and have not yet been adjudicated.
Blanchard has not publicly responded in detail to the full scope of the findings. At this stage, the claims remain unproven and subject to review under Alabama’s judicial disciplinary procedures.
The suspension has drawn attention across Alabama’s legal community due to its impact on probate court operations, which handle time-sensitive matters involving estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments.
