On Friday, May 22, 2026, WBRC 6 News reported that Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard was suspended indefinitely following a 120-page complaint filed by the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission. The complaint formally accuses Blanchard of ethical and judicial misconduct, stemming from allegations that she referred to herself as the “ultimate authority” with “no boss” to her staff.
The complaint details numerous allegations against Blanchard, painting a picture of a Probate Court run in an incompetent and unprofessional manner. She is accused of routinely targeting attorneys and staff, and of manufacturing a backlog that caused significant disruptions, particularly in cases of involuntary commitments.
The commission’s charges include a pattern of failing to diligently discharge judicial duties, disregarding the law, exhibiting bias against attorneys, and failing to disqualify herself from cases where she had previously served as an attorney. Furthermore, Blanchard is accused of harassment, intimidation, and retaliation against probate court staff, and of allowing other court officials under her direction to engage in similar behavior. Her failure to maintain professional competence in judicial administration is also cited.
One significant area of concern highlighted in the complaint is the delay in involuntary commitment hearings. According to the complaint, Blanchard did not hold such a hearing until September, nine months into her term. She is accused of frequently being late to court, imposing strict limits on the number of cases heard, and canceling hearings shortly before they were scheduled to begin. In one instance, a hearing for a patient awaiting discharge from inpatient care was canceled, leading to the hospital emailing Blanchard’s office multiple times to request a hearing to prevent “avoidable undue and emotional distress for the patient.”
The hospital noted that the cancellation and rescheduling would result in the patient remaining hospitalized for an additional two weeks, incurring unnecessary costs and causing emotional distress to the patient and their loved ones. The complaint states that this disruption to the docket delayed care for other patients, potentially posing a threat to public safety and creating untenable operational positions for hospital staff.
The sequence of events was described as a disregard for the rights of patients, their families, and the operational efficiency of the hospital. A hearing was eventually held after a third request, with the patient reportedly “lying in bed crying and upset.” The complaint also alleges that court staff shifted cases to another judge to avoid due-process violations, that Blanchard held hearings outside statutory time windows, and that she misrepresented the frequency of cancellations and facility notification to Presiding Circuit Judge Elisabeth French.
The complaint also outlines allegations of financial and emotional harm to families due to Blanchard’s alleged failure to promptly handle probate cases, including guardianship and estate matters. It cites 24 examples of cases where hearings were canceled or delayed, forcing individuals to wait months or even a year for resolutions. One attorney reportedly expressed extreme concern about a client’s well-being due to a hearing rescheduling, to which Blanchard’s staff responded with understanding, noting another case on the docket in a similar predicament.
Additionally, Blanchard is accused of repeatedly seeking special probate judge appointments, including a “blanket order” for an attorney to cover her during conferences, which she reportedly used to work on orders from home. A request for such an appointment in April 2026 was denied.
The complaint further details alleged patterns of attorney intimidation, including the filing of improper orders, threats of contempt, and an unsupported State Bar complaint. Blanchard is also accused of filing a police report against two attorneys, resulting in their photographs being shared with courthouse security. The presiding circuit judge reportedly met with Blanchard and the Sheriff’s Office, with Blanchard expressing distrust for the two attorneys and stating she did not want them in her courtroom.
A significant portion of the complaint addresses the alleged treatment of probate staff, including the reassignment of employees from Birmingham to Bessemer with little notice. Despite Blanchard’s claim that additional staff in Bessemer was requested, the complaint asserts this was not the case. The complaint highlights that moving staff to Bessemer was logistically unsound, with significantly more open cases in the Birmingham Division compared to the Bessemer Division.
Blanchard is also accused of indifference to staff requesting transfers back to Birmingham, citing an example of a woman whose commute was extended by 40 minutes, making it difficult to care for her dying sister. Blanchard reportedly did not respond to this request, and shortly thereafter, the clerk’s sister died, with the clerk being unable to reach the hospital in time due to traffic from Bessemer.
Finally, the complaint alleges that Blanchard targeted Chief Clerk Amanda Reid, making inappropriate comments and attempting to manufacture performance and insubordination issues against her. Reid was moved out of her office and had her access to the necessary tools and files limited. Her desk was moved to a cubicle in front of her bailiff, and she allegedly faced retaliation for complying with a subpoena from the Judicial Inquiry Commission.
In total, Blanchard faces seven charges for violating multiple provisions of the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics. The case will be presided over by the Court of the Judiciary, a nine-judge panel led by Judge William Cole of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
The Judicial Inquiry Commission will act as prosecutor, and Blanchard will have the opportunity to defend herself. The Court of the Judiciary has the authority to remove, suspend, or censure judges for misconduct.
Source: WBRC 6 News
