The Criminal Defense Attorney Eastern Iowa Calls at 2 AM
Trained Where the Pressure Was Highest
I've spent my career doing one thing: defending people the government has decided to charge with a crime.
I know what it feels like to sit across from someone who's terrified — about their job, their family, their reputation — because the State decided to come after them. I've been in that room thousands of times. And I've spent over forty years making sure my clients don't face that alone.
I graduated from Drake University Law School, which built my foundation as a trial lawyer. I practiced criminal defense in Iowa for decades — primarily in Scott County — before spending twelve years in New York City, working alongside top criminal defense attorneys including Ray Loving and Dean Vigliano. The cases were complex and the stakes were high. I tried cases in the New York Supreme Court, the First Department Appellate Division, and the Federal Appellate Courts. I've argued before the United States Supreme Court and obtained a reversal of a federal appellate decision in an immigration case. I'm licensed in both Iowa and New York.
I've tried hundreds of jury trials, obtained not-guilty verdicts, and negotiated thousands of favorable plea agreements — in courts ranging from the Iowa District Court and Iowa Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court.
When I came back to Iowa, I brought all of that with me.
My practice covers the full range of criminal defense — OWI and DUI, drug charges, assault, weapons offenses, domestic assault, traffic violations, and more. No matter the charge, my job is the same: stand between you and the government and fight.
If you need a lawyer who picks up the phone, tells you the truth, and actually goes to trial when that's what it takes — call me.
Experience You Can Take to Court
What 50 Years in Criminal Defense Actually Means
Most criminal lawyers haven't tried a case in years. They negotiate because they have to, not because they've decided it's the right call. I tried four major cases last year. Prosecutors in eastern Iowa know that when I'm at the table, going to trial is a real possibility — and that changes how they negotiate.
I've also practiced in these courthouses long enough to know which fights are worth having and which ones aren't. I'll tell you the difference. If I can't win your case, I'll say so directly. I won't take your money to find out.
50 years of criminal defense practice
— this is all I do
12 years of experience in Manhattan,
handling high-stakes cases alongside nationally recognized trial attorneys
Drake Law graduate,
trained in a trial practicum recognized as the only program of its kind in the country
Solo practice — every call comes to me, not an associate or an answering service
Big-City Training, Small-Town Accessibility
I left New York because I wanted to practice law the way it should be practiced — where I know the judges, know the prosecutors, and know my clients by name. When you call me, I answer. When you have a question about your case, you talk to me. There are no handoffs, no associates, no layers between you and the attorney working your case.
I handle OWI and DUI defense, assault and domestic assault charges, drug crimes, weapons offenses, white-collar matters, and select felonies across Davenport, Iowa City, Muscatine, Dubuque, Clinton, and the surrounding region. I no longer take murder or Assault 1 cases — not because the work isn't serious, but because I take the cases I can win and the clients I can serve well.
Questions People Ask Before Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
What makes Gary Koos different from other criminal defense lawyers in Davenport?
I've spent 50 years doing exclusively criminal defense — no family law, no personal injury, no general practice. I trained in Manhattan and studied at Drake Law, which runs the only first-year trial practicum of its kind in the country. I tried four major cases last year. And when you call, I answer.
Does Gary Koos handle cases outside of Davenport?
Yes. I practice throughout eastern Iowa, including Iowa City and Johnson County, Muscatine, Dubuque, and Clinton, as well as the full 7th Judicial District. I also take cases in western Illinois on a case-by-case basis.
Will I work directly with Gary, or will my case be handed off to someone else?
You'll work directly with me. I'm a solo practitioner. There are no associates, no paralegals fielding your calls, and no one else handling your case. Every conversation goes through me.
What types of cases does Gary Koos handle?
I focus on OWI and DUI defense, traffic offenses, assault and domestic assault, drug charges, gun and weapons offenses, white-collar matters, and select felonies. I no longer take murder or first-degree assault cases — I made that decision deliberately, so I can focus on the cases where I can do the most for my clients.
Is Gary Koos available for emergencies — like an OWI arrest in the middle of the night?
Yes. My number is 563-275-8820 and I answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you've been arrested for OWI in Iowa, the 10-day window to request a DOT hearing starts immediately — calling sooner matters.
Gary Koos is a Drake Law graduate and criminal defense attorney with 50 years of practice in Scott County and the 7th Judicial District, including 12 years in Manhattan. He has tried four major cases in the past year and represents clients across eastern Iowa in OWI, assault, drug, weapons, and white-collar matters. His office is located at 116 East 6th Street, Davenport, Iowa.
