On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, The News & Observer reported that Durham County District Court Chief Judge Clayton Jones was arrested on a domestic violence charge, facing counts of assault on a female and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Jones’ attorneys maintain the allegations are “entirely false.”
The report revealed Jones was already subject to a domestic violence protective order in Wake County, issued by Judge Rhonda Young on December 1, which expired last week. The plaintiff in that order is the same woman Jones is accused of assaulting. According to the protective order, the most recent of four incidents occurred on November 29. Jones and the plaintiff visited an autobody shop for car repairs, then went to Advance Auto Parts, where the plaintiff contacted a mechanic friend.
At the auto parts store, Jones allegedly became agitated and interrupted the plaintiff’s conversation with an employee. Back at the autobody shop, he allegedly accused her of being ungrateful for seeking a discount through someone else. The protective order alleges Jones then grabbed the plaintiff by the throat, threatening her. This incident aligns with the criminal charges against Jones, with the arrest warrant citing the November 29 offense of grabbing a woman by the neck.
The protective order detailed three other incidents within the past year. On November 22, 2024, Jones allegedly damaged cards at the plaintiff’s home and later returned intoxicated, arguing and splashing water. On March 8, 2025, he allegedly threw a bag of items at her door and returned later to argue. On November 6, 2025, he allegedly went to her house without consent after a text argument.
The Wake County District Court order required Jones to stay 200 feet away from the plaintiff, have no contact, and surrender his firearms. He reportedly owns at least 30 firearms.
Jones responded to the woman’s complaint for a domestic violence protective order, separate from the initial ex parte order. This complaint allows for a hearing to determine the need for a one-year “permanent” protective order.
Jones’ answer addressed the November 29 argument, which stemmed from a dispute over car brakes. The complaint stated that Jones became agitated when the woman contacted a mechanic friend for a discount. At the auto parts store, Jones allegedly spoke aggressively to the woman. Later, at the mechanic’s, after the mechanic identified an additional issue with the brakes, Jones allegedly grabbed and squeezed her throat and threatened her.
In his response, Jones denied causing or attempting to cause bodily injury or instilling fear. He stated they argued about the brakes and drove to the mechanic separately. Jones stated he removed himself from the situation, but the woman threw his keys. Jones retrieved his keys, and the woman accused him of hitting her, the answer stated. Jones “left at that point and stopped engaging with her.”
The complaint also cited the November 22, 2024, incident, where Jones allegedly damaged gifts and cards at her home and returned upset about her new job offer, stating his partner shouldn’t travel for work. Jones acknowledged the dispute over the job and returning gifts, but denied that he objected to the woman’s job because he believed his partner should not travel for work.
Regarding a November 23, 2025, incident, the complaint stated Jones came to her house drunk, acting aggressively, and throwing water bottles. He refused to leave, even after being told that her son was present. Jones acknowledged going to the woman’s house on Nov. 23 and “spoke in a way he later deeply regretted and apologized for,” the complaint stated. He denied that his behavior that night put anyone in fear of bodily injury or harassment.
The complaint stated Jones and the woman have been in a relationship since at least 2020 and alleged a miscarriage “caused by recent discoveries of his continued infidelities.” Jones acknowledged the pregnancy and miscarriage but denied causing it.
Jones is due in court on Jan. 15, 2026.
Source: The News & Observer
