Nationwide — Judge Yashiba Blanchard, who serves in Jefferson County Probate Court in Alabama, has been suspended after allegations of misconductm racial remarks. and delayed court hearings. She is accused of postponing hearings, creating a growing backlog, and prioritizing dog walks over scheduled cases.
Blanchard, a probate judge, faces dozens of allegations tied to courtroom inefficiency and case delays, as reported by the New York Post. Attorneys said hearings often stalled for months under her leadership. One lawyer even raised concern that a delayed case could put a client’s life at risk.
According to a complaint filed by the Judicial Inquiry Commission, Blanchard did not preside over any involuntary commitment hearings until nine months into her term. This delay left patients in psychiatric facilities waiting for court decisions on their cases. Court staff also said the backlog disrupted treatment and placement planning.
The complaint states that Blanchard frequently arrived late to court for personal reasons. It says, “Judge Blanchard told her staff on one occasion that she was late to her involuntary commitment docket because she had three dogs to walk.”
Hospital workers later raised concerns after a canceled hearing extended a patient’s hospital stay. In one of 24 delayed or canceled hearings listed in the complaint, an attorney emailed saying he feared his client might die if the case was postponed again. Staff also said repeated cancellations affected patient admissions and hospital operations.
The allegations also include claims of making racial comments toward Chief Clerk Amanda Reid, who is white. A staff member said Blanchard remarked, “Oh, I forgot you all like kissing white a**,” after learning a colleague supported Reid. The complaint also states that Blanchard later moved Reid’s desk after she complied with a subpoena related to the investigation.
Blanchard now faces seven charges for alleged violations of judicial ethics rules in Alabama. She has been suspended indefinitely while the investigation continues.