{{Short description |American lawyer (born 1979)}} {{Infobox person | name = Josh D. Lee | honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals |list=J.D., M.S., NREMT}} | image = Josh D Lee 17.jpg | alt = Oklahoma Attorney Josh D. Lee | caption = Josh D. Lee | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|11|21|mf=y}} | birth_place = Vinita, Oklahoma, U.S. | alma_mater = Juris Doctor with honors University of Tulsa College of Law, Master of Science in Pharmacy University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology Rogers State University, Associates of Arts in Criminal Justice Northeastern Oklahoma A&M | occupation = Criminal defense lawyer | known_for = | website = [https://theleefirm.com/ The Lee Firm] | module = {{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes | office = Mayor of Vinita, Oklahoma | term_start = 2023 | predecessor = Chuck Hoskin | successor = }} }}
'''Josh D. Lee''' (born November 21, 1979, in Vinita, Oklahoma) is an American lawyer based in Vinita, Oklahoma. As a founder at The Lee Firm, his practice focuses on DUI/DWI, alcohol-related, and drug charges. He has also advocated for open government and has filed lawsuits against governments in the State of Oklahoma to enforce Oklahoma's Open Records law.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marian Opala First Amendment Award |url=https://www.foioklahoma.org/marian-opala-award |website=Freedom of Information Oklahoma |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/after-lawsuit-vinita-council-rescinds-emergency-covid-19-curfew-stay-at-home-ordinance/|title=After lawsuit, Vinita council rescinds emergency COVID-19 curfew, stay-at-home ordinance|work=The Frontier|date=April 15, 2020|access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/court-of-appeals-civil/2013/109895.html|title=WARD & LEE, P.L.C. v. CITY OF CLAREMORE|website=Justia|access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Lee was born and raised in Vinita, Oklahoma, as the only child of Jack and Dolores Lee.{{cn|date=September 2025}} After graduating from high school, he worked as a 911 dispatcher and later served as a police officer for the Vinita Police Department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why I am voting yes on State Question 805 by Attorney Josh Lee |url=https://leecoats.com/why-i-am-voting-yes-on-state-question-805-by-attorney-josh-lee/ |website=Lee {{!}} Coats Law |date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Josh Lee – Lawyer |url=https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/74301-ok-josh-lee-1950176.html |website=Avvo |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref>
Lee pursued higher education in multiple disciplines. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma. He then obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology, specializing in Software and Multimedia Design, from Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma.<ref name=jd />
In 2007, Lee graduated with honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law, earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. He continued his education in forensic science, obtaining a Master of Science in pharmacy from the University of Florida in 2016.<ref name=jd>{{cite web |title=Josh D. Lee |date=2023-10-19 |url=https://leecoats.com/attorney/josh-d-lee/ |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref>
==Legal career== Josh D. Lee began his legal career as a licensed intern with the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office, where he worked on the Major Crimes Team before transitioning to private practice. In 2007, Lee joined Clinton M. Ward in Vinita, Oklahoma, forming the law firm Ward & Lee, PLC. The firm is now The Lee Firm and is located on historic Route 66 in downtown Vinita.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Josh D. Lee – Lee {{!}} Coats Law, PLC |url=https://leecoats.com/attorney/josh-d-lee/ |website=Lee {{!}} Coats Law |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing Lee {{!}} Coats Law, PLC! |url=https://leecoats.com/introducing-lee-coats-law-plc/ |website=Lee {{!}} Coats Law |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Josh Lee – Lawyer |url=https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/74301-ok-josh-lee-1950176.html |website=Avvo |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref>
Lee also received the 2023–24 Marian Opala First Amendment Award due his role as attorney and plaintiff in ''Ward & Lee v. City of Claremore'', which established that police dash-camera recordings are subject to disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, and also for starting the free public resource FOIBible.com.<ref name="FOIList">{{cite web |title=Marian Opala First Amendment Award |url=https://www.foioklahoma.org/marian-opala-award |website=Freedom of Information Oklahoma |access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="FOIBlog">{{cite web |title=Sunshine Week: FOI Oklahoma announces 2023–24 award winners |url=https://www.foioklahoma.org/blog/2024/3/9/foi-oklahoma-announces-2023-24-award-winners |website=Freedom of Information Oklahoma |date=10 March 2024 |access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref>
== Notable cases == Lee's published appellate advocacy includes open government cases, such as ''Ward & Lee, PLC v City of Claremore'', 2014 OK CIV APP 1, which addressed the public's right to access police and sheriff dash cam recordings under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=472552|title = WARD & LEE, P.L.C. V. CITY OF CLAREMORE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state/oklahoma-court-rules-that-claremore-police-dash-cam-video-is/article_32d98368-2313-5a60-89a7-0f22bcc4bffa.html|title=Oklahoma court rules that Claremore police dash-cam video is public record|date=June 2013 }}</ref>
Lee filed a lawsuit against Washington and Nowata County District Judge Curtis DeLapp,<ref>{{cite news |last=Berens |first=Michael |last2=Shiffman |first2=John |title=With ‘judges judging judges,’ rogues on the bench have little to fear |url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-judges-deals/ |work=Reuters Investigates |date=9 July 2020 |access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref> alleging abuses of power.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/abuse-power-allegations-levied-judge-ordered-woman-jail-without-bond-talking/|title=Abuse of power allegations levied at judge who ordered woman jailed without bond for talking during court|work=The Frontier|access-date=2018-11-24|language=en-US}}</ref> The Oklahoma Supreme Court subsequently filed a removal petition against Judge DeLapp accusing him of "gross neglect" and "oppression in office."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/washington-county-judge-guilty-gross-neglect-oppression-office-state-supreme-court-justice-writes/|title=Washington County judge guilty of 'gross neglect,' 'oppression in office,' state Supreme Court Justice writes|work=The Frontier|access-date=2018-11-24|language=en-US}}</ref> Judge DeLapp resigned from the bench and withdrew his bid for reelection.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/08/22/okla-judge-who-jailed-people-for-eating-sunflower-seeds-and-talking-in-court-has-resigned/|title=Okla. judge who jailed people for eating sunflower seeds and talking in court has resigned|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-11-24}}</ref> In July 2020, Reuters Investigates published a series on judicial misconduct in the United States titled "Teflon Robe." Part 2, "Emboldened By Impunity," discussed the conduct of Judge DeLapp and Lee's role in the case.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-judges-deals/ |title=With 'judges judging judges,' rogues on the bench have little to fear|website=Reuters|language=en-US|access-date=2020-07-11}}</ref>
In DUI and criminal law, he has been the attorney of record for the following cases:
* Exonerations of Malcolm Scott and De'Marchoe Carpenter: On May 19, 2016, a Tulsa County District Judge found Scott and Carpenter "actually innocent" of a 1994 drive-by shooting that resulted in prison sentences of Life + 170 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.readfrontier.com/investigation/malcolm-scott-demarchoe-carpenter-freed-20-years-prison-judge-declares-innocent-94-murder-case/|title=Malcolm Scott and De'Marchoe Carpenter freed|website=The Frontier|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/courts/two-tulsa-men-declared-innocent-in-fatal-shooting-after-serving/article_c64cac2f-152d-5466-b846-73ee79118e24.html|title=Two Tulsa men declared innocent in 1994 fatal shooting after serving 20 years in prison|website=Tulsa World|date=10 May 2016 |access-date=2016-06-02}}</ref> Scott and Carpenter became the 31st and 32nd individuals exonerated in Oklahoma since 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://okj2.org/?p=1021|title=Judge declares two Tulsa men INNOCENT after they served more than 21 years in Oklahoma prisons {{!}} Oklahoma Journalists for Justice|website=okj2.org|access-date=2016-06-02|archive-date=2016-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701012408/http://okj2.org/?p=1021|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 21 years and 8 months they spent in prison as wrongfully convicted men was the longest served among the previous 30 exonerees in Oklahoma.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://okj2.org/?p=1021|title=Judge declares two Tulsa men INNOCENT after they served more than 21 years in Oklahoma prisons {{!}} Oklahoma Journalists for Justice|website=okj2.org|access-date=2016-06-02|archive-date=2016-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701012408/http://okj2.org/?p=1021|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lee, along with Oklahoma Innocence Project Legal Director Christina Green, represented Scott in this matter. His closing argument from the January 29, 2016 hearing was noted by journalists and local court watchers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.readfrontier.com/investigation/a-killers-word-should-michael-lee-wilsons-confession-free-two-men/|title=A killer's word: Should his death row confession free two men?|website=The Frontier|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-02}}</ref> He also represented both Scott and Carpenter when District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler appealed the exonerations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/courts/appeals-court-closes-case-of-tulsa-men-declared-innocent-of/article_4d47ad42-7ca2-539e-a1df-b612c1f9f218.html|title=Appeals court closes case of Tulsa men declared innocent of 1994 murder|work=Tulsa World|access-date=2017-04-10}}</ref> * ''Andrews v. State,'' 2014 OK CIV APP 19: In this case, the appellate court ruled that paramedics are not authorized to perform blood withdrawals under Oklahoma's Implied Consent Law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=472722|title = ANDREWS v. STATE ex rel. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY}}</ref> * ''State v. Mayes:'' The charges against a 74-year-old woman were dismissed at the preliminary hearing after authorities seized marijuana and cash from her residence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state/drug-charge-against--year-old-vinita-woman-dismissed/article_0936be46-78c6-5187-b2cf-6e2e7772c691.html|title = Drug charge against 74-year-old Vinita woman dismissed| date=9 April 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/granny-drug-kingpin-busted-16142621|title = Video Granny Drug Kingpin Busted|website = ABC News}}</ref>
== Political career == Since 2023, Lee has served as the mayor of Vinita, Oklahoma.<ref name="VinitaDirectory">{{cite web |title=Departments Directory |url=https://www.cityofvinita.com/city-council/pages/departments-directory |website=City of Vinita |access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="VinitaCouncil">{{cite web |title=City Council |url=https://www.cityofvinita.com/city-council |website=City of Vinita |access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref> He ran for mayor after suing Vinita over COVID restrictions that the city had put in place in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lawsuit alleges Vinita's COVID-19 stay-at-home ordinance violates constitutional rights, seeks injunction |website=The Frontier |date=2020-04-13 |url=https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/lawsuit-alleges-vinitas-covid-19-stay-at-home-ordinance-violates-constitutional-rights-seeks-injunction/ |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=After lawsuit, Vinita council rescinds emergency COVID-19 curfew, stay-at-home ordinance |website=The Frontier |date=2020-04-16 |url=https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/after-lawsuit-vinita-council-rescinds-emergency-covid-19-curfew-stay-at-home-ordinance/ |access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref>
== Publications and commentary == Josh D. Lee has contributed to discussions on forensic science and legal issues in publications including ''Chemistry World'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Massachusetts crime lab scandal explodes|url=https://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2013/04/us-massachusetts-forensic-lab-chemist-charged}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Crime lab chemist accused of fabricating drug test results {{!}} Chemistry World|url=https://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2016/03/forensic-crime-lab-chemist-drug-test-fraud|access-date=2016-06-02|website=rsc.org}}</ref> ''Colorado Springs Independent'',<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/blood-and-circus/Content?oid=2583641 |title=Blood and circus: Why many DUI lawyers don't trust the state's drug lab |first=Chet |last=Hardin |publisher=Colorado Springs Independent |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=2014-03-23 |archive-date=2013-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807210057/http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/blood-and-circus/Content?oid=2583641 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and ''Chemical & Engineering News''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i37/Forensic-Science-Innocence-Project.html |title=Forensic Science and the Innocence Project | September 10, 2012 Issue - Vol. 90 Issue 37 | Chemical & Engineering News |access-date=2014-03-23 |archive-date=2013-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104155315/http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i37/Forensic-Science-Innocence-Project.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/i7/Criminal-Law-Ignores-Science.html |title=Why Criminal Law Ignores Science | February 18, 2013 Issue - Vol. 91 Issue 7 | Chemical & Engineering News |access-date=2014-03-23 |archive-date=2014-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201214047/http://cen.acs.org/articles/91/i7/Criminal-Law-Ignores-Science.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He has authored chapters in legal texts, including ''Understanding DUI Scientific Evidence (2011 Edition)'',<ref name="ref500210167">{{cite book|title=Understanding DUI Scientific Evidence, 2011 ed: Leading Lawyers and Scientists on Recent Developments in Forensic Science, Understanding Chemical and ... Validity of Test Results (Inside the Minds): Multiple Authors: 9780314278890: Amazon.com: Books|last1=Vosk|first1=Ted|last2=Authors|first2=Multiple|date=August 2011|publisher=Aspatore Books|isbn=978-0314278890}}</ref> and ''The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases,''<ref>{{cite book|author1=Aspatore|title=The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases, 2012 ed: Leading Lawyers on Leveraging Science and Process to Develop Winning Defense Strategies (Inside the Minds): Multiple Authors: 9780314285843: Amazon.com: Books|date=August 2012|publisher=Aspatore Books |isbn=978-0314285843}}</ref> along with articles for The South Carolina Bar Association,<ref name="ref820538213">{{cite web|url=http://www.scbar.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=oRQ3nULuQ0w%3D&tabid=1127|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310204622/http://www.scbar.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=oRQ3nULuQ0w%3D&tabid=1127|archive-date=2014-03-10|title=The Lawyer's Guide To Gas Chromatography|publisher=South Carolina Bar}}</ref> Tennessee Criminal Defense Lawyers Association,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tacdl.com/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-JULAUG.pdf |title=For The Defense |access-date=2014-03-10 |archive-date=2014-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228175332/http://www.tacdl.com/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-JULAUG.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.<ref name="ref1405866372">{{cite web|title=Portable Breath Testers: A Potentially Dangerous Non-Specific and Non-Selective Measure at Roadside | Voice For The Defense Online|date=2 October 2012|url=http://www.voiceforthedefenseonline.com/story/portable-breath-testers-potentially-dangerous-non-specific-and-non-selective-measure-roadside|publisher=voiceforthedefenseonline.com|access-date=10 March 2014|archive-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227144743/http://www.voiceforthedefenseonline.com/story/portable-breath-testers-potentially-dangerous-non-specific-and-non-selective-measure-roadside|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Professional associations== * Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc., Board of Directors <ref name="FOIOK">[http://foioklahoma.org Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc.].</ref> * Chemistry and the Law Division of the American Chemical Society, Executive Committee Member/Forensic Science Co-Chairman<ref name="CHAL">[https://www.chemistryandthelaw.org/executive-committee Chemistry and the Law Division].</ref>
==Recognition== In 2018, Lee received the Fern Holland Courageous Lawyer Award from the Oklahoma Bar Association.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.okbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OBA-Award-History.pdf|title=Oklahoma Bar Association Award History|website=Oklahoma Bar Association|access-date=2025-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.okbar.org/annualmeeting/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/10/2018-House-of-Delegates-Booklet.pdf|title=Oklahoma Bar Association 2018 Award Winners|date=October 2018|website=Oklahoma Bar Association|access-date=November 24, 2018|archive-date=November 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125030849/https://www.okbar.org/annualmeeting/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/10/2018-House-of-Delegates-Booklet.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was featured in ''Oklahoma Magazine'''s 40 Under 40 list for 2018. In 2014, Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc. recognized the law firm of Ward, Lee, & Coats, PLC, Josh Lee, and Steve Fabian, with an honorable mention for the Ben Blackstock Award.<ref>[http://foioklahoma.org/2014/03/15/foi-oklahoma-deems-gov-fallin-records-policies-black-hole-for-second-year/ Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114212605/http://foioklahoma.org/2014/03/15/foi-oklahoma-deems-gov-fallin-records-policies-black-hole-for-second-year/ |date=2014-11-14 }}.</ref> He has also been recognized by state and national defense-related organizations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wardandlee.com/oklahoma-attorney-josh-lee-honored-2013/|title=Attorney Josh Lee Honored in 2013|work=Ward Lee & Coats {{!}} Attorneys at Law Vinita Oklahoma|access-date=2017-04-10|language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> FOI Oklahoma listed Josh D. Lee as the recipient for their 2023-24 Marian Opala First Amendment Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marian Opala First Amendment Award |url=https://www.foioklahoma.org/marian-opala-award |access-date=2025-07-30 |website=Freedom of Information Oklahoma |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://theleefirm.com/ The Lee Firm] * [http://www.grandlakedui.com Grand Lake DUI]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Josh D}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:American criminal defense lawyers Category:People from Vinita, Oklahoma Category:Mayors of places in Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma lawyers Category:21st-century American lawyers Category:21st-century American politicians Category:University of Tulsa College of Law alumni Category:Rogers State University alumni Category:Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College alumni Category:University of Florida alumni Category:American legal writers Category:Open government activists Category:American freedom of information activists