Retired judges appointed to replace suspended Jefferson County probate judge
Yashiba Blanchard has been temporarily stripped of her role following allegations of bias, harassment and failure to follow the law. Two retired judges will oversee the office.
Ethan Parker 
The Jefferson County Probate Court is undergoing a significant leadership transition. Two retired judges have been called back to the bench to manage operations following the temporary suspension of Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard.
New Appointments Oversee Probate Duties
Presiding Judge Elisabeth French has officially appointed retired Probate Judge Sherri Coleman Friday and retired Circuit Judge Carole Smitherman to step in and handle the office's responsibilities. Friday was tapped as Special Probate Judge on Thursday, while Smitherman received her appointment on Friday afternoon to serve as the Special Probate Judge and lead as the county's Chief Elections Official. According to orders issued by Judge French, both jurists have already been sworn into their respective roles.
Background on the Suspension
Blanchard was temporarily removed from her position on Thursday after a 120-page complaint was filed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission. The state body, which oversees judicial conduct, levied serious allegations against the first-term judge, including claims of bias toward legal counsel, failure to fulfill official duties, failure to follow the law, and accusations of harassment and retaliation against her staff.
The formal complaint states that the conduct exhibited by the judge has undermined public trust in the integrity of the judicial system and damaged the reputation of the office.
Constitutional Protocol
Per the Alabama Constitution, a judge faces an automatic temporary suspension when the Judicial Inquiry Commission initiates proceedings through the Administrative Office of Courts.
The incoming judges bring substantial experience to these interim roles. Carole Smitherman, a former longtime member of the Birmingham City Council, retired from the circuit bench last year, as did Sherri Coleman Friday. Their return to the courthouse comes as 205focus.com continues to monitor developments in this ongoing judicial matter.
