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Lexington, MO

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Lexington, MO, Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans. Arrests and criminal charges are bad enough on their own. You’re facing challenges that nobody wants to go through. But for most people facing allegations, you’re facing another hurdle outside of the legal system to overcome: How are you going to pay for this?

Don’t give up on getting a leading Lexington criminal defense attorney to protect your freedom. At Combs Waterkotte, we offer affordable and flexible payment plans so that you can get premium legal representation without going into debt over it. But while we are flexible with you on billing, we’re staunchly by your side in the courtroom – when you hire us, you’re getting a highly experienced, award-winning team of expert criminal defense attorneys.

Here, we’re outlining the potential advantages of a payment plan, but if you’re facing charges and aren’t sure where to start, call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online – we offer free consultations to give you an idea of how we can help, and can figure out the details when we talk.

Here, we discuss the costs of criminal defense lawyers in Lexington, why payment plans may be a good choice for you, the features of our payment plans, and more. You can navigate to a specific topic here:

Now that we’ve outlined the basics, let’s look at why you should look to hire a Lexington, MO, defense attorney with a payment plan.


How Much Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost in Lexington?

It’s unfortunately impossible to give a prediction of how much a case will cost without knowing the ins and outs of it. Criminal defense case costs range from a couple of thousand dollars to as much as $25,000 for complicated felony cases. MO lawyers, in particular, tend to cost more than is typical for the United States.

What About Public Defenders? Or Self-Representation?

When you’re facing those kinds of fees, you might be thinking about looking for a public defender or representing yourself. But don’t make that decision lightly – there are major downsides to either of those options. To get a public defender in Lexington, there are certain eligibility requirements that you must fit to qualify.

Even if you are allowed to hire one, picking a public defender instead of a private defense lawyer signficicantly decreases your chances of the state dropping the case. Public defenders also frequently negotiate subpar plea deals, which can result in unfavorable outcomes for you.

The quality of the public defender doesn’t matter – unfortunately, due to their lack of funding and massive caseloads, they are in a spot where they can’t give clients’ cases the time they need.

Going it alone is often even worse, though: Even if you’re only facing a traffic ticket, you need a lawyer to be on your side and watch out for pitfalls. Before hiring us, one client paid a ticket without checking with an attorney, and ended up paying $6,000 in increased insurance costs.

What Factors Affect Criminal Case Costs?

When considering the cost to defend a given case, there’s a lot to keep in mind: Many factors go into determining the price. Here are the most important ones to keep in mind:

  • Location: Defending alleged crimes in city courts typically costs more than in rural jurisdictions, due to the increased complexity of the legal system.
  • Type of Charge: Generally, misdemeanors are less expensive than felonies. Some defenses are also more expensive if the specific allegations carry a social stigma, like rape or other sex crimes.
  • Experience: You can expect more experienced lawyers to charge more for their quality of defense.
  • Hourly vs Flat: While it depends on the case, flat feeds tend to be more transparent in terms of pricing. Hourly rates can look more affordable at first glance, but over time will add up.
  • Unique Case Factors: Expert analysts and witnesses are expensive – if your case involves, for example, computer programs and your lawyer needs to hire a software engineer for assistance, that can increase the case costs.

What Difference Will a Payment Plan Make?

Payment plans can make a massive difference for defendants facing criminal allegations. By avoiding a massive upfront cost, more people can afford a top attorney without going bankrupt.

The best payment plans are tailored to you, so that you’re not stuck with rigid steps that don’t work for your situation.

We know that most people aren’t expecting to face criminal charges. They’re not setting up their budget to account for the costs of a lawyer. Payment plans make top-rate criminal defense lawyers affordable for people when they need one most.



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Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?

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How Does Plea Bargaining Work?

Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.

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Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?

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Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri

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Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Play video

Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?

Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …

What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
Play video

What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?

What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …

Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Play video

Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri

Everything You Need to Know About Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs and Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer the most commonly asked questions about …

How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Play video

How Does Plea Bargaining Work?

Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.

Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Play video

Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?

Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …

Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
Play video

Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?

St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri
Play video

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri

Everything You Need to Know About Criminal Defense Cases in Missouri. St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs answers the most commonly asked questions about Criminal Defense Cases in …

Are Text Messages Admissible in Court?
Play video

Are Text Messages Admissible in Court?

Christopher Combs and Steven Waterkotte of Combs Waterkotte answer if text messages are admissible in court. This video is part of a series on your legal rights during police interactions.



How Combs Waterkotte’s Payment Plans Protect Your Wallet

At Combs Waterkotte, we want to give you a suburb defense, no matter who you are and what your bank account looks like. So that you can afford that, we handle our billing in a way to make it realistic and affordable for everyday people, facing anything from DWIs to murder charges.

Here’s how our payment plans can protect your wallet:

  • Low deposits – You don’t have to pay high initial fees to hire us – for both felonies and misdemeanors.
  • Realistic bill structures – we’re understanding and will work with your budget to build a plan that works for you.
  • Multiple payment options – we accept credit, debit, checks, money orders, and more.
  • Flat fees – know what you’re paying and what you’re getting for it up front.

Get a quality criminal defense without going broke. We build staunch defenses, are in reach 24/7, and keep fighting until you get the justice you deserve.


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How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Protect Your Rights and Future

Combs Waterkotte has over 60 years of experience and over 10,000 cases handled. This ebook helps guide you through the criminal defense process and how an experienced, skilled defense attorney can keep your freedoms intact.










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    Criminal Defense Case Types We Offer Payment Plans For

    At Combs Waterkotte, we take pride in defending a wide variety of criminal charges in MO and offer payment plans for all of them. Here are some of the most common charges we defend clients against:

    Facing a different criminal charge? Read through our complete list of Lexington, MO, criminal charges we offer payment plans for, or reach out now to discuss how we can make a plan for your case.


    Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans


    Combs Waterkotte Lexington Criminal Defense Strategies

    When we defend you, our objective is find the most positive outcome for your case, whatever it is. Whatever you’re up against, we will construct a trial-ready, fearless defense that intimidates prosecutors and impacts juries. We also leverage our connections with prosecutors and judges across MO to get charges dropped and secure favorable plea deals.

    Want to learn more about how we do it? These are some typical defense strategies we might use to defend you in Lexington, MO:


    Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans


    Facing Criminal Charges in Lexington, MO? Low on Funds? Call Combs Waterkotte

    We’re not here to pinch pennies or force you into debt – we’re here to protect your life and your future. Our team of leading Lexington, MO, criminal defense lawyers has has extensive experience working with clients just like you to defend cases just like yours.

    At Combs Waterkotte, we see you as a person, not a another case or paycheck. We want to give your case the attention it deserves, no matter what it is or what your finances look like. Let us defend your freedom and your bank account.

    Get in touch online or call us at (314) 900-HELP today for a free evaluation fo your case, and to figure out payment plans that are right for you.

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