Alabama Probate Judge Suspended Amid Racism Allegations

In a surprising move, the probate judge in Jefferson County, Yashiba Blanchard, has been suspended due to several judicial ethics charges, including allegations of making racist comments against a white court clerk. Reports indicate that these charges cover a range of serious issues.

Blanchard faces seven counts, with accusations ranging from using racial slurs to mismanaging involuntary commitment cases. A complaint from the Alabama Judicial Investigation Commission (JIC) outlines how her behavior disrupted court operations, created a challenging atmosphere for staff, and raised concerns regarding public safety.

Specifically, it is alleged that Blanchard made derogatory remarks about Chief Clerk Amanda Reed. When another court official expressed their appreciation for Reed, Blanchard reportedly retorted, “Oh, I forgot about you guys, like kissing white ass.”

The situation worsened as the complaint detailed attempts by Blanchard to fabricate claims of insubordination against Reed. This included moving Reed’s desk to a smaller area out of spite for Reed’s compliance with a subpoena, and limiting Reed’s access to important documents and resources.

Moreover, during her time as a judge, Blanchard frequently arrived late. In fact, she didn’t conduct any involuntary trials for the initial nine months of her tenure, which left many mentally ill patients stuck in hospitals, as noted by the JIC.

Hospital staff reported that at least one patient had to remain hospitalized for an additional two weeks due to multiple postponed hearings. Allegations claim that Blanchard explained her tardiness for an involuntary bond hearing by saying, “because I was walking my three dogs.”

The urgency of the situation was underscored when a lawyer associated with a client in the court begged not to reschedule a hearing, expressing fear that the client might “die.”

By January 2026, mental health officials raised alarms over Blanchard’s failure to hold timely hearings, asserting that around 120 patients were still in the community while caseloads continued to rise. Reports noted that one probate matter had been postponed four times.

As of late May 2026, Blanchard had yet to issue any formal response to the allegations and was suspended on Thursday. The Alabama Judicial Review Commission and the judge have been contacted for comments regarding this troubling situation.