On Monday, February 9, 2026, the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board filed formal charges against Bradford County Magisterial District Justice Jonathan M. Wilcox in the Court of Judicial Discipline.
Wilcox, who presides over a district including Troy, Canton, and Alba boroughs, as well as 14 western Bradford County townships, was suspended from his position last November pending the outcome of the proceedings. He has served as a magisterial district justice since March 2000.
The charges stem from a complaint filed last fall, which alleges that Wilcox improperly handled a case involving a man and a woman, both accused of summary harassment following an incident in December 2024. The complaint details that Wilcox allegedly engaged in a private meeting with the woman, shared his personal cell phone number, and subsequently pursued a romantic relationship with her, sending texts that revealed details of his personal life. One such message reportedly stated his feelings for her and his availability at any time.
Further accusations include Wilcox’s alleged dismissal of the harassment complaints without consulting the state trooper who initially filed the charges. The man involved in the case was reportedly unaware of the charges against him. Additionally, Wilcox is accused of instructing his staff to destroy files related to the harassment cases.
In a separate incident, Wilcox is accused of violating judicial rules by sentencing a woman to jail for multiple traffic offenses without first conducting a hearing to determine her ability to pay.
The Judicial Conduct Board also alleges that in April 2024, Wilcox misused his official position by sending a letter on judicial letterhead to Bradford County President Judge Maureen Beirne, requesting a protection from abuse order for his clerk. The board asserts that this action abused the prestige of his judicial office.
The Attorney General’s Office notified Wilcox that he was under official investigation regarding the protection from abuse request. He allegedly failed to inform the chief justice and the Judicial Conduct Board of this investigation, a violation of protocol.
Wilcox has the right to respond to the charges, review the evidence, and have a public trial before the Court of Judicial Discipline. If the court finds clear and convincing evidence of any of the charges, a hearing will be scheduled to determine the appropriate sanction, which could range from censure to removal from office.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
