Former Franklin County judge facing disciplinary charges

Indiana Supreme Court will rule if misconduct occurred

(BROOKVILLE, Ind.) – A former Franklin County judge is facing disciplinary charges related to judicial misconduct. 

The Indiana Commission of Judicial Qualifications filed the motion against Judge J. Steven Cox on Thursday.

According to court documents, two of the charges stem from the case involving Gregory Guilfoyle who is awaiting trial. 

In December 2022, Guilfoyle allegedly shot his wife and hours later was injured during a gunfight with a Franklin County deputy. 

Cox allegedly had an ex parte visit to Guilfoyle’s home in January 2023 without the prosecutor or defense attorney’s knowledge. 

Court documents also allege that Cox relied on information from that visit to rule on motions regarding Guilfoyle’s competence to stand trial.

The third count claims Cox rejected all written plea agreements in his court from July 2022 to December 2024, as officials say he breached his duty to determine each case on its own merits.

The commission’s charges allege that Cox failed to promote public confidence in the impartiality of the court.

Cox is permitted to file an answer to the charges this month.

The Indiana Supreme Court will have final say if any judicial misconduct occurred. The court also has the authority to issue the appropriate sanctions which range from a reprimand to suspension from holding judicial office.