Odessa Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans. Arrests and criminal charges are bad enough on their own. Navigating the MO legal process is an immense challenge all on its own. But frequently, you’re facing another hurdle outside of the legal system to overcome: How are you going to pay for a lawyer?
You have options: You can still get a leading Odessa criminal defense attorney to defend your rights. At Combs Waterkotte, we can set up tailored payment plans so that you can get a premier legal defense without going into debt over it. But while we are flexible with you on billing, we’re staunchly by your side in the courtroom – at Combs Waterkotte, you’re getting a highly experienced, award-winning team of expert criminal defense lawyers.
Here, we’re outlining the potential advantages of a payment plan, but if you’re in an emergency and need to discuss options with an expert, call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online – we offer free consultations on all cases, and can guide you from there.
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Here, we go over the costs of criminal defense lawyers in Odessa, the advantages of payment plans, ways we make our payment plans work for our clients, and more. You can navigate to a specific point using the below links:
- How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Odessa, MO?
- Are public defenders good options?
- Factors that affect how much a case will cost
- Advantages of payment plans when hiring a lawyer
- How our criminal defense payment plans work for you
- Case types you can use payment plans for
- Defensive strategies we could use for your case
- Hire a lawyer now with a payment plan that works for you
Read on to learn all about why a Odessa, MO criminal defense lawyer with a payment plan is right for you.
How Much Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost in Odessa?
It’s unfortunately impossible to give a prediction of how much a case will cost without knowing the ins and outs of it. They can range anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to as much as $25,000 for complex felony cases. MO lawyers, in particular, tend to cost a bit above normal for the United States.
What About Public Defenders? Or Self-Representation?
With bills that high, you might be thinking about looking for a public defender or representing yourself. But don’t rush into that decision – there are major downsides to either of those options. To get a public defender in Odessa, there are certain eligibility requirements that you must fit to qualify.
Even if you are allowed to hire one, by opting for a public defender over a private attorney, you’re drastically decreasing your chances of the prosecution dropping the case against you. They’re also more likely to push you to accept plea deals, which can result in unfavorable outcomes for you.
What’s worse, even if you have a skilled public defender, it probably won’t make a difference – unfortunately, because of their low support and immense caseloads, they just aren’t able to give your case the attention it needs.
Representing yourself is often even worse, though: Even if you’re only facing a traffic ticket, you need a lawyer to protect yourself from unseen costs. One of our clients paid a ticket without checking with an attorney, and she lost $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 are considered when a lawyer sets fees for a case. Here are the main ones to be aware of:
- Location: Cases in cities tend to cost more than in the country, thanks to higher levels of competition and more expenses.
- Type of Charge: Generally, misdemeanors are less expensive than felonies. Some types of charges, like sex crimes, can also be more expensive due to the social stigma surrounding them.
- Experience: You can expect more experienced lawyers to charge more for their quality of defense.
- Hourly vs Flat: Hourly rates may seem cheaper at first, but can creep up over time. Each case is unique, but flat fees are more predictable and won’t have hidden costs.
- Unique Case Factors: If there’s something that makes a case more complex (for example, if it involves complicated computer use and requires the hiring of an expert analyst), that can increase the cost.
What Difference Will a Payment Plan Make?
If you’re facing criminal allegations, payment plans can make a huge difference. Without a huge upfront cost, more people are able to hire a lawyer without going bankrupt.
The best payment plans are tailored to you, so that you and your attorney can find something that works for both of you.
Most people go through life without thinking about the need to hire a defense attorney, and we get that. They’re not building a fund to cover the costs of criminal defense. Payment plans make top-rate criminal defense lawyers affordable for people when they need one most.
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How Combs Waterkotte’s Payment Plans Protect Your Wallet
At Combs Waterkotte, we want to give you the justice you deserve, no matter who you are and what charges you are facing. In order to do so, we handle our billing in a way to make it reasonable and affordable for everyday people, facing everything from DWIs to homicide charges.
Here’s how our payment plans can protect your wallet:
- Low deposits – our down payments for both felonies and misdemeanors are affordable.
- Realistic bill structures – we’re reasonable and will work with your budget to customize your billing structure in a way that works for everyone.
- Multiple payment options – we accept credit, debit, checks, money orders, and more.
- Flat fees – avoid hidden costs and the snowballing bills from hourly rates.
Get a quality criminal defense without going broke. We build strong defenses, are available 24/7, and don’t give up until you get the justice you deserve.
Free book
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Protect Your Rights and Future
Combs Waterkotte has over 80 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.
Criminal Defense Case Types We Offer Payment Plans For
At Combs Waterkotte, we build defenses for a diverse catalog of allegations and offer payment plans for all of them. Here are some of the charges we regularly defend clients from:
Is your charge not one of the ones listed above? Search the complete list of Odessa, MO, criminal charges we offer payment plans for, or get in touch today to go over how we can make a plan for your case.

Combs Waterkotte Odessa Criminal Defense Strategies
When you hire us, our objective is find the most positive outcome for your case, whatever it is. Whatever charge(s) you’re facing, our team will create a trial-ready, fearless defense that intimidates and impacts juries. We also take advantage of our relationships with prosecutors and judges across MO to get charges dismissed and secure favorable plea deals.
Here are some of the main defense strategies we use against criminal charges in Odessa, MO:
- Alibi
- Self Defense/Defense of Others
- Lack of Intent
- Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Duress
- Necessity

Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Odessa, MO? Low on Funds? Call Combs Waterkotte
We’re not here to be stingy or put you in debt – we’re here to fight for your rights and your future. Our team of expert Odessa, MO, criminal defense lawyers has over 60 years of combined courtroom experience and has worked with clients just like you to defend cases just like yours.
At Combs Waterkotte, we see you as a person, not a paycheck or case number. 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 wallet.
Set up an appointment online or call us at (314) 900-HELP anytime for a free evaluation fo your case, and to discuss payment plans that are right for you.

