Kansas City, MO, Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans. Arrests and criminal charges are bad enough on their own. They’re stressful, have potentially life-altering consequences, and can become your whole life while you fight them. But for many people, possibly you, the challenges start before you even make it into the courtroom: How are you going to afford a lawyer?
As scary of a question as it is, there is an answer: You can still hire a leading Kansas City criminal defense lawyer to defend your rights. At Combs Waterkotte, we can set up tailored payment plans so that you can get an elite team of attorneys without losing all your money in legal fees. And we don’t compromise on your defense quality – when you hire us, you’re getting a results-driven, 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 schedule an appointment online – we offer free consultations to give you an idea of how we can help, and can figure out the details when we talk.
Below, we discuss the price of hiring a criminal defense attorney in Kansas City, how payment plans can help make your defense more affordable, ways we make our payment plans work for our clients, and more. You can jump to a specific topic here:
- What is the price of a a criminal defense attorney in Kansas City, MO?
- Is it a good idea to use a public defender?
- Factors that affect how much a case will cost
- Why you should consider payment plans when hiring an attorney
- How our criminal defense payment plans work
- 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
Now that we’ve outlined the basics, let’s look at why you should look to hire a Kansas City, MO, defense attorney with a payment plan.
How Much Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost in Kansas City?
It’s not possible to give a definitive answer on how much a case will cost without knowing all of the details, since each case is unique and provides different challenges. A case could cost anything from a couple of thousand dollars to as much as $25,000 for elaborate felony cases. MO lawyers, in particular, tend to cost slightly above average for the United States.
What About Public Defenders? Or Self-Representation?
With bills that high, it may be tempting to opt for a public defender or trying to represent yourself. But don’t make that decision lightly – there are major drawbacks to both of those choices. To get a public defender in Kansas City, there are certain eligibility requirements that you must fit to qualify.
Even if you are eligible, if you go with a public defender, you’re radically decreasing the chances of the prosecution dropping the case. They’re also more likely to push you to accept plea deals, which causes unfavorable outcomes for you.
The quality of the public defender doesn’t matter – unfortunately, due to their low funding and colossal workloads, they just aren’t able to give your case the attention it needs.
Trying to navigate the Kansas City, MO, legal process on your own will probably be 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. One of our clients paid a ticket without checking with an attorney, and ended up paying $6,000 in increased insurance costs.
What Factors Affect Criminal Case Costs?
Because every case is unique, the potential cost for a case can vary a lot: Many factors go into determining the price. Here are the key ones to be aware of:
- Location: Urban cases tend to be more expensive than rural cases, due to the increased complexity of the legal system.
- Kind of Charge: Felony allegations normally cost less than misdemeanor allegations. Some defenses are also more expensive if the specific allegations carry a social stigma, like rape or other sex crimes.
- Experience: Normally, the more courtroom experience an attorney has, the more they will charge.
- 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.
Can a Payment Plan Make a Difference?
Payment plans can make a massive difference for defendants facing criminal allegations. Because there isn’t a large upfront cost, more people can hire a lawyer without going into debt.
The best payment plans are customizable, so that your lawyer can adapt to your needs and find a way that works for you.
We know that most people aren’t expecting to face criminal charges. They’re not building a fund to prepare for defense allegations. Payment plans make a path for you to hire Kansas City, MO’s leading criminal defense firm without the stress of coming up with the funds.
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How Combs Waterkotte’s Payment Plans Protect Your Wallet
At Combs Waterkotte, we want your rights to be protected, no matter who you are and what situation you are in. Because of that, we set up our payment plans 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 budget:
- Low deposits – We can get started on either felony or misdemeanor cases without a massive retainer.
- Realistic bill structures – we’re understanding and will work with your budget to build a plan that works for you.
- Multiple payment options – we take cash, credit, debit, checks, money orders, and more.
- Flat fees – avoid hidden costs and the snowballing bills from hourly rates.
Get a premier criminal defense without going broke. We build strong defenses, are in reach 24/7, and keep fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
Free book
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.
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. Below are some of the popular allegations we defend people against:
Are you up against something not on that list? Check out the complete list of Kansas City, MO, criminal charges we offer payment plans for, or set up an appointment to talk about what we can do for your case.

Combs Waterkotte Kansas City Criminal Defense Strategies
At Combs Waterkotte, our mission is find the most positive outcome for your case, whatever it is. Whatever charge(s) you’re facing, we will construct a trial-ready, fearless defense that intimidates the state and impacts juries. We also leverage our relationships with prosecutors and judges across MO to get charges dismissed and obtain favorable plea deals.
Below are just a few of our many defense strategies we might use to defend you in Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, 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 paycheck or case number. We help good people in bad situations, both legal and financial. Let us protect your freedom and your wallet.
Set up an appointment online or call us at (314) 900-HELP today for a free evaluation fo your case, and to discuss payment plans that will work for you.

