Youngblood to Take Leave Nov. 1 to Run for Sheriff

Central Municipal Judge Bobby D. Youngblood, who has been been criticized by some of his colleagues for remaining on the bench while he runs for sheriff, announced Tuesday that he will take a leave of absence beginning Nov. 1.

Youngblood said he made his decision after other jurists charged that he had violated the state’s judicial canon of ethics by not leaving the bench. The judge defended his actions but added that the criticisms “caused me to reevaluate my priorities.”

Youngblood, 47, said he had planned to take a leave of absence next February--just before filing to run against incumbent Sheriff Brad Gates in the June 3, 1986, election.

Moving Date Up

“I’m just moving it up a few months,” Youngblood said. “I’ve said before that the appearance of doing right is just as important as doing right. This way there can be no question about it.”

According to the judicial canons--a set of state guidelines--judges cannot run for a non-judicial office without taking a leave of absence or resigning from the bench. Youngblood said he thought he was within the guidelines because he would not formally be a candidate until he files for election next February.

In August, however, Youngblood announced plans to run against Gates. He has since opened a campaign headquarters, put together a campaign staff and solicited funds from a variety of people in the county. The judges who criticized Youngblood said that was enough activity to make him a candidate already.

Criticism Restrained

Youngblood said he has also decided to leave the bench because he has, so far, been under self-imposed restraints in his criticisms of Gates.

“But beginning in November, I’m going to have a lot to say,” Youngblood said, alluding to what many expect to be a hard-hitting campaign against Gates.

During the past three years, Youngblood has been Gates’ principal gadfly. In 1982, for example, the judge urged the FBI to investigate the Orange County Jail. He has accused Gates’ staff of covering up the murder of an inmate and also has a lawsuit pending against Gates, claiming the sheriff has harassed him and other political adversaries.

Youngblood said he does not have enough money to live on while he is on leave from the bench, but indicated that he might take out some loans from friends. He also said that he will probably do some consulting and promotional work for some businessmen in order to generate income during the campaign.