What’s in the complaint against Alabama judge Yashiba Blanchard? See the details

Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard is facing a sweeping 120-page disciplinary complaint that alleges a pattern of misconduct, intimidation, and operational dysfunction dating back to her first day on the job.

Allegations of Misconduct

The state complaint, which was filed May 21 and led to Blanchard's suspension on Thursday, paints a grim picture of her judicial leadership. The document accuses the judge of fostering a culture of bullying and retaliation, while simultaneously causing severe delays in critical court proceedings, including estate resolutions and mental health commitments.

Under the Alabama Constitution, the Judicial Inquiry Commission's action against Blanchard triggers an automatic suspension as the case moves to the Court of the Judiciary. In response to the vacancy, Presiding Circuit Judge Elisabeth French has appointed retired judges Sherri Coleman Friday and Carole Smitherman to serve as temporary Special Probate Judges.

Courtroom Disruptions

The complaint details a series of procedural issues, including allegations that Blanchard failed to hold timely hearings. In one instance, the document claims the judge cited the need to walk her three dogs as the reason for arriving late to an involuntary commitment docket.

The backlog became so significant that, by January 2026, roughly 120 mental health patients remained in the community waiting for hearings. In one urgent case, hospital staff sent an email on Nov. 18, 2025, pleading for a hearing to allow a patient to return home for the Thanksgiving holiday. The staff noted in follow-up correspondence that the patient was left crying in bed, eventually securing a discharge only after multiple requests for action.

Professional Retaliation Claims

Beyond scheduling issues, the commission alleges that Blanchard weaponized her office to target specific legal professionals and courthouse staff. The filing claims she acted in bad faith by removing Hand Arendall attorneys from conservatorship cases and reassigning them to the Earle Law Firm without proper legal justification.

The report also suggests a vendetta against chief clerk Amanda Reid. According to the complaint, Blanchard once questioned employees about their relationship with Reid, allegedly remarking, “Oh, I forgot you all like kissing White ass.” The situation reportedly intensified after Reid was subpoenaed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission in April, with Blanchard subsequently placing her on a 'performance improvement plan' and moving her to a cubicle.

Blanchard, who was elected in 2024, has 30 days to respond to the complaint. She has declined to comment to 205focus.com, indicating that her legal team or publicist would handle future inquiries. If the Court of the Judiciary finds merit in the claims, the judge faces potential removal, censure, or suspension without pay.