Welcome to the McDowell Law Firm, where we prioritize client satisfaction and strive to secure optimal outcomes in every case we handle. The McDowell firm is a Colorado Springs law firm that represents clients in criminal matters, ranging from drunk driving (DUI, DWAI) to domestic violence, felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile matters. Additionally, we champion the rights of individuals who’ve suffered personal injuries due to negligence, handling cases like car accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful deaths. If you’re searching for a lawyer in Colorado Springs, give us a call to set up a free, no obligation consultation.
Our goal in every case is to make an unpleasant situation as easy and simple as possible. We understand that whatever type of legal case you have, it makes for a stressful situation. Call today for a free consultation to speak with an experienced attorney about your case.
Joshua McDowell grew up in Boulder, Colorado and attended Law School at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He is an experienced trial lawyer, who has handled thousands of cases in courts throughout Colorado. He has had his wins in Court featured in National and International news outlets including: 60 Minutes, Huffington Post, Daily Mail (UK), ABC News, CBS News and more.
Mr. McDowell has lived in Colorado Springs since 2004 when he joined the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office (El Paso County and Teller County) as a Deputy District Attorney. After years of serving as a Deputy District Attorney, Mr. McDowell chose to go into private practice to protect the rights of the accused and to help accident victims stand up to insurance companies.
Former El Paso County Deputy District Attorney with experience as:
Alternate Defense Counsel-El Paso County and Juvenile Courts
Colorado Springs Municipal Court-Defense Counsel
Civil and Commercial Litigation Associate- Cage Williams Abelman Layden, Denver
Project Consultant -Criminal Justice Section, American Bar Association
Admitted to Practice in the State of Colorado and Federal Court-District of Colorado.
University of Colorado, Boulder J.D., 2003
International Criminal Law Studies-Dublin University, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
International Business Law Studies-Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Brigham Young University B.A., 2000
“The International Committee of the Red Cross as a Witness Before International Criminal Tribunals.” Published in the Chinese Journal of International Law.
Co-authored “The Child Witness in Criminal Cases”, a collaborative project with the ABA Criminal Justice Section’s Task Force on Child Witnesses.
Colorado Springs trial attorney Joshua J. McDowell has handled thousands of criminal cases during more than 20 years of practicing law in Colorado. His cases and legal work have attracted national and international media attention, including coverage by CBS’s 60 Minutes, ABC News, CBS News, The Huffington Post, the New York Post, Daily Mail and other outlets.
Some of that attention has come from unusual cases. Other coverage has followed major criminal investigations, jury trials and McDowell’s work evaluating forensic evidence.
These are some of the more interesting or non-traditional cases the McDowell firm has had spotlighted in the Media.
One of the most complex cases Joshua McDowell has handled grew out of the Army National Guard’s Recruiting Assistance Program, commonly known as G-RAP.
The G-Rap investigation was described at the time as the largest criminal investigation in the history of Army CID. CBS 60 Minutes dedicated a segment to Josh McDowell’s client, who was acquitted of all charges in the case
The G-Rap program was created to increase National Guard recruiting during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It eventually became the subject of a massive fraud investigation involving thousands of soldiers and recruiters across the country.
The scope of the investigation attracted national media attention, including coverage by CBS’s 60 Minutes.
McDowell represented James Root, who was prosecuted in connection with the G-RAP investigation. Rather than resolving the case through a plea agreement, McDowell took Root’s case to trial.
For McDowell, the case was an example of why the size of a government investigation does not necessarily tell you the strength of an individual criminal case.
Large investigations can generate thousands of documents, numerous witnesses and complicated theories of prosecution. At trial, however, the government still has to prove the case against the individual defendant.
McDowell challenged the government’s case against Root at trial and obtained a not-guilty verdict.
The broader G-RAP investigation became one of the most significant military fraud investigations of its time and received extensive national scrutiny.
Some cases become national stories because the allegations are serious. Others attract attention because the facts are unusual.
The case involving the Manitou Springs Prom Dirty Dancing Debacle is definitely the latter.
Our client was accused of harassment following a school dance where she and another chaperone allegedly objected to students dancing inappropriately. Early reports included allegations involving Lysol being sprayed toward students and comments made during the dance.
I think what made this story so interesting to national and international outlets was how wacky the allegations were-that chaperones were spraying kids with Lysol because they were dirty dancing (and not in a Patrick Swayze way) at Prom.
The story quickly spread beyond Colorado.
CBS News reported on the charges, and The Smoking Gun published a detailed story along with documents from the police investigation.
The initial accusations made headlines. The final result was different.
All charges were ultimately dismissed.
Read the articles here:
The case is a useful reminder of a problem criminal defense lawyers see regularly. The first version of a criminal case can receive far more attention than the eventual outcome. As with most cases, much of what you see or read in the media couldn’t be further from the truth.
The McDowell Law Firm has also served as legal counsel for forensic examinations of anomalous findings around the world. One forensic investigation that has been widely reported on in the media involves the “Nazca tridactyl mummies”.
Dozens of strange bodies, of various shapes and sizes, were discovered in the Peruvian desert. The discovery of the bodies raised ethical, scientific, and political concerns about their provenance and nature.
Joshua McDowell, a former Colorado prosecutor and current defense attorney who traveled to Peru last April to study the so-called “alien mummies,” told the outlet the recent findings are only superficially similar to the specimen presented before Mexican Congress.
These “mummies” are merely dressed-up, smaller imitations of the Nazca Tridactyls made by an artist looking to profit off the current craze, McDowell claimed.
“The artist that made them said as much,” he said. “There is a way to obtain definitive answers as to what these specimens are through genetic testing and additional forensic examination.”
McDowell’s work on the investigation has subsequently been reported by media outlets in the United States and abroad.
The investigation has also generated coverage in Latin America and other international media as researchers continue to debate the specimens’ authenticity and origin.
McDowell continues to advocate for independent testing rather than assumptions about what the evidence will eventually show.
World-class experts and Institutions have joined the investigation. Stay tuned for updates.
The Nazca investigation also reached one of the largest podcasts in the world.
McDowell’s work and observations were discussed on The Joe Rogan Experience during Joe Rogan’s conversation with Dr. Mark Gordon.
In November 2024, Josh McDowell appeared before the Congress of Peru to discuss the investigation and the need for further examination of the specimens. His position before lawmakers focused on additional scientific study, transparency and access for qualified researchers.
McDowell has also provided briefings on the investigation to members of Congress in both Peru and the United States. For the Nazca specimens, McDowell believes that answers should come from qualified experts conducting transparent scientific research.
At the heart of our Colorado Springs law firm practice is a simple aim: to alleviate the stress and uncertainty that legal challenges often present. We know that every legal issue, whether criminal or civil, is one of the most stressful things in your life. Our mission is to simplify the complex legal process for you and to be with you every step of the way.
Josh McDowell has worked in criminal law in Colorado Springs since 2004. He has worked on both sides of a criminal case in prosecution and defense. First as a Deputy District Attorney in Colorado Springs, and then as Alternate Defense Counsel in El Paso County Court (Fourth Judicial District), and as Court-Appointed Defense counsel in Colorado Springs Municipal Court. This unique background equips us with insider knowledge of prosecutorial strategies and the workings of the judicial system. When defending our clients, we use this experience and perspective to prepare our cases in a way to best defend charges brought by the Government.
Whether you’re faced with a criminal charge or grappling with the aftermath of a personal injury, we’re here to guide you. Reach out today for a complimentary consultation and discuss your case with an affordable Colorado Springs attorney who brings extensive trial experience to the table.
At McDowell Law Firm, our commitment to client satisfaction and achieving the best possible outcomes sets us apart. If you’re looking for a lawyer in Colorado Springs, here’s why you should choose us –
We can handle all types of criminal cases, including DUI, DWAI, domestic violence, felonies, misdemeanors, and juvenile matters. We also handle civil cases involving personal injuries sustained through the negligence of others. Car Accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death and more.
We prioritize your needs and work to protect your rights and interests throughout your legal journey. We work with trusted professionals to prepare the strongest possible case. In all matters, Josh McDowell will personally handle your case.
With a track record of success, we are dedicated to achieving the most favorable results for our clients in every case. We have handled thousands of cases in courts throughout Colorado. Our Colorado Springs law firm has earned a reputation for excellence through years of Courtroom experience.
Our Colorado Springs injury lawyers handle auto accident and other personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no attorney’s fees until we win and obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Choose the McDowell Law Firm for experienced, compassionate, and effective legal representation in Colorado Springs. Call us today at 719-227-0022 for a free consultation or send us an email at Contact McDowell law firm.
