Arrested in Eastern Iowa?

Muscatine Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Muscatine and Louisa Counties

Muscatine has a thin criminal defense bar. Five active attorneys, by most counts. If you've been charged with OWI, assault, drug possession, or any other criminal offense in Muscatine County, that number matters — because your options narrow fast and the clock doesn't stop while you're deciding.

 

I'm Gary Koos. I've been practicing criminal defense for 50 years, and I'm in Muscatine County courts regularly. The drive from my Davenport office to the Muscatine County Courthouse is 35 minutes. This isn't a stretch assignment for me — it's part of my practice.

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Defense Legacy

50 Years Defending Criminal Cases

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Manhattan Experience

12 Years in Manhattan, Alongside Trial Attorneys Like Joe Tacopina

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Trial Practicum

Drake Law — Home of the Country's Only First-Year Trial Practicum

A Small Local Bar Doesn't Mean You Have to Settle

When there are only a handful of criminal defense lawyers in a county, the temptation is to hire whoever is closest or most available. Proximity isn't the same as experience. I've tried four major cases in the last year alone, and I spent 12 years practicing in Manhattan working alongside attorneys who represented some of the most high-profile defendants in the country. That depth of trial experience doesn't disappear when I cross the Scott County line.

 

Muscatine deserves the same quality of defense as any larger market. That's why I've built regional coverage across eastern Iowa — so geography doesn't force anyone into a compromise.

The 7th Judicial District Means Familiar Ground

Muscatine County sits in the Iowa 7th Judicial District, the same district that covers Scott, Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, and several other eastern Iowa counties. That's not a footnote — it's a strategic advantage.

 

The procedural rules are identical across every county in the district. The assistant county attorneys rotate between jurisdictions. The judges I see in Davenport are the same judges I see in Muscatine. When I build a defense strategy for a Muscatine client, I'm drawing on the same institutional knowledge I've built through years of practice in this exact district — not starting from scratch.

What I Handle in Muscatine County

I defend clients in Muscatine County on a full range of criminal charges, including:

 

  • OWI/ DUI — first offense, second offense, and felony third
  • License revocation and temporary restricted license (TRL)
  • Drug possession and delivery charges
  • Assault and domestic assault
  • Traffic offenses, including driving while barred and CDL violations
  • Weapons charges
  • White collar and federal matters

 

If you're facing a charge not listed here, call me. I'll tell you directly whether I can help.

No Billing Surprises for Muscatine Clients

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Standard OWI and criminal defense cases are handled on a flat fee. Travel to Muscatine is included. I drive to Muscatine County courts regularly — it's not a special trip that generates a line item on your invoice.

 

What you're quoted at the start of your case is what you pay. I don't run a meter on courthouse appearances, client calls, or the miles between Davenport and Muscatine.

Frequently Asked Questions — Muscatine Criminal Defense

  • Do you regularly appear in the Muscatine County Courthouse?

    Yes. Muscatine County is part of the Iowa 7th Judicial District, the same district where I practice regularly in Scott, Cedar, Clinton, and Jackson counties. I'm in Muscatine courts on a consistent basis — it's not a one-off appearance.

  • How much does it cost to hire a Muscatine criminal defense attorney?

    Standard OWI and criminal defense cases are handled on a flat fee. I discuss fees directly during our first conversation so there are no surprises. Travel to Muscatine is included in that fee — it's not billed separately.

  • I was arrested for OWI in Muscatine last night. What should I do first?

    Call me. Iowa law gives you 10 days from your arrest date to request a DOT hearing to fight your license revocation. That deadline runs whether you've hired a lawyer or not. The sooner we talk, the more options you have.

  • Is a Muscatine OWI handled differently than one in Davenport or Iowa City?

    The procedure is the same. Muscatine County and Scott County are both in the 7th Judicial District, so the rules, timelines, and processes are identical. The defense strategy I'd build for a Muscatine OWI looks very much like what I'd build in Davenport — because the framework is the same.

  • Do you handle felony charges in Muscatine County, or just misdemeanors?

    Both. I handle the full range — from first-offense OWI and traffic matters to felony drug charges, assault, weapons offenses, and federal cases. If you're not sure whether your charge qualifies, call me and I'll give you a straight answer.
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Talk to a Muscatine Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you've been charged with a crime in Muscatine or Louisa County, the right time to call is now — not after you've had a chance to think it over. Evidence gets stale, deadlines pass, and early decisions in a case shape everything that follows. I'm available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and when you call, you'll reach me directly.