Alabama Judge Suspended Over Racial Comments and Neglected Duties

When you take the bench, you’re supposed to uphold justice—not personal grudges. Yet that’s exactly what Jefferson County probate judge Yashiba Blanchard allegedly did, according to complaints filed against her that led to her suspension in May 2026.

The allegations paint a troubling picture of a judge who let her personal feelings poison the workplace. On her first day, when a staff member mentioned liking Chief Clerk Amanda Reid, Blanchard reportedly responded with a racial slur:“Oh, I forgot you all like kissing white ass.”That wasn’t a one-off comment—it was the beginning of what the complaint describes as a targeted campaign against Reid. Blanchard allegedly manufactured performance issues, moved Reid’s desk to a cubicle in front of the bailiff to limit her access to necessary tools and files, and generally created a hostile work environment.

But the misconduct went far beyond workplace drama. Blanchard was late for a hearing involving a patient committed to a hospital because she needed to walk her three dogs. In another case, an attorney begged the judge for a scheduled hearing to proceed, saying“I am so worried that my client is going to die”—a gut-wrenching reminder that court delays have real consequences for real people. The complaint alleges Blanchard failed to promptly handle numerous probate cases, creating a massive backlog that affected vulnerable individuals waiting for their matters to be resolved.

In total, Blanchard faces seven charges for allegedly violating multiple provisions of the Alabama Canons of Judicial Ethics. What makes this case particularly striking isn’t just the alleged misconduct—it’s that someone entrusted with considerable power allegedly abused it in ways both petty and serious. Prejudicial comments, workplace harassment, and neglect of duties that directly impact people’s lives and freedom: these aren’t minor infractions. They’re violations of the basic trust that keeps the justice system functioning.

The suspension is a necessary step, but it also raises a larger question about accountability and how these cases are handled once they reach the courtroom.