Bailiff for suspended Jefferson County judge accused of impersonating deputy sheriff

James Edward Dozier, the courtroom bailiff for a suspended Jefferson County judge, is facing criminal charges after being accused of impersonating a police officer.

The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for the 53-year-old Hueytown resident on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities state the incident occurred Saturday when deputies were called to a custody dispute on 36th Avenue N.W. in the Center Point area. Upon arrival, investigators allege that Dozier identified himself as a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Dozier was taken into custody and booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 10:38 p.m. Saturday. He was released an hour later after posting a $15,000 bond. As of Wednesday, Dozier remained an employee of Jefferson County.

Connection to Judge Yashiba Blanchard

Dozier serves as the bailiff for Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard, who was suspended last month following a stern complaint from the Judicial Inquiry Commission. Under the Alabama Constitution, a judge is subject to automatic suspension once the Commission files a case with the Court of the Judiciary.

The 120-page complaint highlights serious allegations against Blanchard’s leadership, citing instances of bullying, intimidation, and unnecessary delays in court cases that impacted mental health care and estate resolutions. The report notes that such conduct has compromised the public’s confidence in the integrity of the local judiciary.

Allegations of Intimidation

Dozier was specifically named in the disciplinary complaint, which described him as "highly intimidating" toward both staff and attorneys practicing in Blanchard’s courtroom. According to the document, Dozier allegedly blocked access to the courtroom at the judge’s discretion, even for matters that should remain open to the public, forcing those waiting to remain in the hallway.

The complaint further stated that individuals attempting to enter the courtroom were met with hostility, noting that Dozier would "bite your head off" and had "aggressively gotten in the face of attorneys."