UMVA has learned that a shocking case of judicial misconduct has led to the suspension of an Alabama probate judge, Yashiba G. Blanchard, following a scathing 120-page complaint that details a pattern of abuse of power, bias, and retaliation.
The complaint accuses Blanchard of delaying critical hearings for mental health patients, including one case where a patient was forced to remain hospitalized for an additional two weeks, solely because the judge wanted to walk her dogs. This egregious example of docket mismanagement created a massive backlog and caused unnecessary emotional distress for patients and their families.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Blanchard's misconduct goes far beyond mere negligence, with allegations of racist remarks, harassment, and intimidation of court staff. In one instance, she allegedly made a racist comment about a white chief clerk, Amanda Reid, saying "Oh, I forgot you all like kissing white ass" when a staffer expressed fondness for Reid.
The complaint also reveals a disturbing pattern of retaliation against staff members who crossed Blanchard. After Reid complied with a subpoena from the Judicial Inquiry Commission, Blanchard allegedly moved Reid's desk to a cubicle in front of her bailiff as punishment. This kind of behavior has created a toxic work environment, with court staff reportedly fearing the judge's wrath.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Blanchard's abuse of power extends to her handling of involuntary commitment and guardianship cases. The complaint claims she routinely delayed or canceled probable cause hearings, causing a massive backlog and forcing some citizens to seek services elsewhere. This failure to promptly handle court business has created a disservice to Jefferson County citizens.
The Judicial Inquiry Commission has charged Blanchard with seven specific counts of violating the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics, including bias against attorneys and improperly removing over 140 cases from two appointed attorneys handling conservatorship cases. With her suspension, Blanchard's legacy as a trusted jurist has been left in tatters.
