A popular Oklahoma City attorney has decided to resign from practicing law rather than fight disciplinary action by the Oklahoma Supreme Court for a role in bribing a police
“My sobriety and family mean more to me than being a lawyer,” the attorney, Josh T. Welch, told The Oklahoman in an emailed statement.
“The resignation speaks for itself, and I really cannot add anything to it beyond what it says,” he stated. “I accept full responsibility for my actions, and do not blame anyone else for my conduct. I have an enormous amount of regret and remorse about what happened. I look forward to moving on to a new chapter in my life.”
The Supreme Court in April temporarily suspended Welch and another Oklahoma City attorney, Sam Kerr, after they were put on probation for obstructing a police officer.
Welch, 43, and Kerr, 33, entered Alford pleas April 5 to the misdemeanor charge. Under an Alford plea, a defendant accepts a sentence for a crime while still asserting innocence.
Both were fined $500 and put on probation for two years.
A third Oklahoma City attorney, David Ogle, 44, is accused in a felony charge of bribing the Edmond police officer. He is due in court again related to the case in August. He had made no recent comments on his case.
Welch had said in April he wanted to continue to practice law but then changed his mind.
Should he decide in the future to seek to be a lawyer again, Welch must wait five years after the Supreme Court approves his resignation.
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