Areas of Defense

Representation for misdemeanor and felony charges across Wisconsin

Being charged with a crime can be overwhelming. The criminal justice system moves quickly, and the decisions made early in a case can have lasting consequences. Having an attorney who understands the process and can guide you through each step is critical.

Criminal Defense

Attorney Laura Coss represents clients throughout Wisconsin facing a wide range of criminal charges. Before entering private practice, she served as a prosecutor, where she was assigned cases daily across every area of criminal law. That experience provides valuable insight into how cases are evaluated and prosecuted, which she now brings to her work defending clients.

Her practice includes representation in both misdemeanor and felony cases across Wisconsin courts.

Criminal Charges in Wisconsin

Criminal offenses in Wisconsin are generally divided into misdemeanors and felonies. The potential penalties depend on the severity of the charge and the circumstances of the case.

Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are less serious criminal offenses but can still carry significant consequences. A conviction may result in jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record. In Wisconsin, misdemeanors can carry penalties of up to nine months in jail and fines of up to $10,000, depending on the offense.

Felonies
Felonies are more serious offenses and carry substantially higher penalties, including potential prison sentences. Wisconsin classifies felonies from Class A through Class I, with Class A being the most serious and Class I carrying the lowest potential penalties among felony offenses.

Even charges that may appear minor can have long-term consequences for employment, professional licensing, and housing.

The Wisconsin Criminal Court Process

Every case is different, but most criminal cases in Wisconsin follow a similar path through the court system.

  • Initial appearance or arraignment – the court formally presents the charges.
  • Pre-trial hearings – motions, negotiations, and case preparation occur.
  • Trial – if the case is not resolved beforehand, the matter proceeds to trial where the state must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
  • Sentencing – if a conviction occurs, the court determines the appropriate penalty.

An experienced defense attorney can help evaluate the evidence, identify possible defenses, and guide you through each stage of the process.

Criminal Cases We Handle

Attorney Laura Coss represents clients in many types of criminal cases, including:

  • Sex crimes
  • Violent crimes
  • Drug offenses
  • Domestic violence allegations
  • Theft and property crimes
  • Other misdemeanor and felony offenses
  • Burglary
  • Revocations

We also represent clients on a pre-charge basis. This applies when someone has been contacted by law enforcement or believes an investigation may be developing, but no formal charges have been filed and they may not have received any paperwork.

At this stage, we work with our team to get ahead of the investigation—gathering evidence, preserving key information, and presenting facts that support our client’s innocence. We also serve as the primary point of contact for law enforcement, allowing our clients to step back from direct interaction and continue their daily lives with less disruption.

In many situations, the best outcome is one that never becomes public. Our best results are often the ones no one talks about—because it means the case was never charged in the first place.

Experienced Criminal Defense Representation

Facing criminal charges can have serious and lasting consequences. An experienced defense attorney can help you understand the charges, evaluate your options, and work toward the best possible outcome for your case.

Attorney Laura Coss represents clients throughout Wisconsin and is committed to providing thoughtful, thorough criminal defense representation.