# Josh D. Lee

Josh D. Lee (born November 21, 1979, in Vinita, Oklahoma) is an American lawyer. As a shareholder at Lee|Coats, PLC, in Vinita, Oklahoma, he has a national practice. He focuses on DUI/DWI, alcohol-related and drug charges. He is best known as an advocate of open government and has successfully sued governments in the State of Oklahoma to enforce Oklahoma's Open Records law.

## Early life and education

Josh D. Lee was born and raised in Vinita, Oklahoma, as the only child of Jack and Dolores Lee. After graduating high school, he worked as a 911 dispatcher and later as a police officer for the Vinita Police Department.
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. Then he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology, specializing in Software and Multimedia Design, from Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma.
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.

## 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 was later renamed Ward Lee & Coats, PLC after Cassandra Coats joined the partnership. In 2019, Lee and Coats established their own practice, Lee | Coats Law, PLC, located in downtown Vinita.

## Notable cases

Lee is known for his published appellate advocacy in open government cases, including Ward & Lee, PLC v City of Claremore, 2014 OK CIV APP 1, which established the public's right to access police and sheriff dash cam recordings under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
Lee brought a lawsuit against Washington and Nowata County District Judge Curtis DeLapp, alleging widespread abuses of power. Ultimately the Oklahoma Supreme Court filed a removal petition against Judge DeLapp accusing him of "gross neglect" and "oppression in office." Eventually the disgraced Judge resigned from the bench and withdrew his bid for reelection. In July 2020, Reuters Investigates began publishing a series of long format stories on judicial misconduct in the United States called Teflon Robe. Part 2 “Emboldened By Impunity” focused on the misconduct of Judge Delapp and JoLee's role in his removal.
In the DUI and criminal law context, 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 landed them a prison sentence of Life + 170 years. Scott and Carpenter became the 31st and 32nd individuals to be exonerated in Oklahoma since 1989. The 21 years and 8 months that they spent in prison as wrongfully convicted men was the longest served of any of the 30 previous exonerees in Oklahoma. Lee, along with Oklahoma Innocence Project Legal Director Christina Green, represented Scott in this matter. His closing argument from the January 29, 2016 hearing drew high praise from journalists and local court watchers. He also successfully represented both Scott and Carpenter when District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler appealed the exonerations.
* 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.
* State v. Mayes – The charges against a 74-year-old woman were dismissed at the preliminary hearing after authorities seized marijuana and approximately $277,000 in cash from her residence.

## Publications and commentary

Josh D. Lee has contributed extensively to discussions on forensic science and legal issues, with his work appearing in publications such as Chemistry World, Colorado Springs Independent, and Chemical & Engineering News. He has authored chapters in legal texts, including Understanding DUI Scientific Evidence (2011 Edition), and The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases, along with articles for The South Carolina Bar Association, Tennessee Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

## Professional associations

* Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc - Board of Directors (01/2014–Present)
* Chemistry and the Law Division of the American Chemical Society - Executive Committee Member/Forensic Science Co-Chairman

## Recognition

In 2018, Lee was awarded the Fern Holland Courageous Lawyer Award by the Oklahoma Bar Association. He was featured in Oklahoma Magazine's 40 Under 40 for 2018 recognizing the "best the state has to offer in virtually all fields of business." In 2014, Freedom of Information Oklahoma, Inc. named the law firm of Ward, Lee, & Coats, PLC, Josh Lee, and Steve Fabian, as an honorable mention for the group Ben Blackstock Award. He has been recognized by state and national defense related organizations for his contributions to the citizens and the defense bar.