Joseph Dobry at a glance
- Current role
- Associate District Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Oklahoma · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joseph Dobry
Associate District Judge · Lincoln County District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Swearing-In: Dobry was officially sworn in as Associate District Judge on March 5, 2025
- Joseph A. Dobry is the Associate District Judge for District 23 in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, sworn in on March 5, 2025, after being nominated by the Judicial Nominating Commission and appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt
- The Governor’s appointment was formalized in March 2025, following the vacancy created when former District Judge Traci Soderstrom resigned in February 2024
- Among several applicants interviewed by the JNC for the 2024 vacancy created by the resignation of the previous district judge
- 2024 – Nominated by the JNC for Associate District Judge, District 23
- 2022 – Ran for District Judge, District 23, but lost to Traci Soderstrom
- While Governor Stitt ultimately appointed another candidate for that vacancy, Dobry was later appointed to the Associate District Judge role
- Seasoned Oklahoma attorney turned judge, now serving in Lincoln County’s district court, with a background in private legal practice and a strong local presence in Chandler, Oklahoma
Education
Additional information
- between 1991 and 1994
- Governor’s Appointment: Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Dobry to the role, following the JNC’s recommendation
- Before his judicial appointment, Dobry practiced law in Chandler and was active in local legal and civic organizations.
- Based in Chandler, Oklahoma, and is recognized for his legal career spanning nearly two decades in private practice before his judicial appointment
- Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC)
- Before entering the judiciary, Dobry practiced law for almost
- As Associate District Judge, Dobry presides over cases in Lincoln County’s district court, applying Oklahoma’s statewide court rules, among them provisions for videoconferencing and electronic evidence handling under
- Dobry is a Chandler, Oklahoma attorney and community member.
- Joseph Alan Dobry
- , which conducted in‐person interviews with multiple applicants before submitting his name to Governor Kevin Stitt
- Oklahoma Rule 34
- 25 years
- handling a variety of legal matters
- His academic qualifications include his
- Juris Doctor
- University of Oklahoma College of Law
- Laura Dobry
- Ella
- Cara
- He is active in his community and is known for his professional demeanor in the courtroom.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Oklahoma Rule 34 authorizes videoconferencing in District Courts, subject to the presiding judge's discretion and case-specific limitations.
The Supreme Court hereby authorizes and approves the use of videoconferencing in the District Courts of Oklahoma, as set forth in the following general provisions.Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts ↗
Statewide
Oklahoma Rule 34 permits documents and exhibits used in videoconference proceedings to be transmitted electronically, with original exhibits transferred after the proceeding unless the judge orders otherwise.
Any pleading, other document, or exhibit used in a proceeding conducted by videoconferencing may be transmitted between the court's location and any remote site by electronic means, including, but not limited to, facsimile, scan, or email.Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts ↗
Statewide
For Oklahoma district-court videoconference witness testimony, Rule 34 generally requires a notice of intent 30 days before the proceeding and allows objections within 10 days, subject to judicial discretion.
A proponent of a witness via videoconferencing technology at any hearing or trial shall file and serve on the opposing party a notice of intent to present testimony by videoconferencing technology at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled start of such proceeding.Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts ↗
Courtroom Electronic Devices
Statewide
Oklahoma's uniform civil jury instruction directs jurors not to use electronic devices while court is in session and prohibits texting, posting, blogging, or broadcasting about the trial.
At this time, turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices. Do not use any electronic devices while court is in session in this case.Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction 1.0: Use of Electronic Devices and Research Prohibited ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts
Lincoln County District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Oklahoma State Courts Network official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Oklahoma State Courts Network official judicial roster ↗Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts ↗Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction 1.0: Use of Electronic Devices and Research Prohibited
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction 1.0: Use of Electronic Devices and Research Prohibited ↗