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Lawson, MO

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Lawson, MO, Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans. When the government makes allegations against you, you’re probably already stressed out. You’re facing challenges that nobody wants to go through. But for most people facing allegations, the challenges start before you even make it into the courtroom: How am I going to pay for a lawyer?

Don’t give up on getting a leading Lawson criminal defense attorney to defend your rights. At Combs Waterkotte, we provide payment plans that are customized to you so that you can get a group of the finest Lawson, MO, lawyers without going bankrupt in the process. But while we are flexible with you on billing, we’re staunchly by your side in the courtroom – when you work with our team, you’re getting a results-driven, award-winning team of expert criminal defense attorneys.

On this page, we go over why a payment plan might work for you, but if you need to get started on your defense right away, call now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online – we offer free consultations on all cases, and can figure out the details when we talk.

Here, we outline the price of hiring a criminal defense attorney in Lawson, the advantages of payment plans, how our payment plans work, and more. You can skip ahead to a specific point using the below links:

Read on to learn all about why a Lawson, MO criminal defense lawyer with a payment plan is right for you.


How Much Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost in Lawson?

It’s unfortunately impossible to give a prediction of how much a case will cost without knowing the ins and outs of it. 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?

Considering those costs, it may be tempting to opt for a public defender or choosing to represent yourself. But don’t move too fast – there are major downsides to either of those options. To get a public defender in Lawson, first, you need to meet the eligibility requirements.

Even if you are allowed to hire one, if you go with a public defender, you’re radically decreasing the chances of the goverment dropping the case against you. Public defenders also frequently negotiate subpar plea deals, which can result in unfavorable results for you.

Tragically, even if you have a great public defender, it’s unlikely to help you – unfortunately, because of their low support and massive workloads, they are in a spot where they can’t give clients’ cases the time they need.

Going it alone will probably be even worse, though: Even just for a traffic ticket, you need a lawyer to warn you about hidden consequences. Before hiring us, one client 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 affect the cost to defend a case. Here are the main ones to keep in mind:

  • Location: Urban cases tend to be more expensive than rural cases, due to the increased complexity of the legal system.
  • Type of Charge: Misdemeanors are usually cheaper than felonies. Some types of charges, like sex crimes, can also be more expensive due to the social stigma surrounding them.
  • Experience: Experienced, expert lawyers will typically charge more than their novice counterparts.
  • 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 your defense requires specialized work, for example, hiring an expert forensic analyst as a witness, you will likely have to pay more.

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 flexible, so that you’re not stuck with rigid steps that don’t work for your situation.

Most people go through life without thinking about the need to hire a defense attorney, and we get that. They’re not setting up their budget to prepare for defense allegations. Payment plans make hiring a premium legal defense team for your case not only possible, but reasonable.



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Play video

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Play video

What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?

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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 …

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Play video

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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 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 – You don’t have to pay high initial fees to hire us – for both felonies and misdemeanors.
  • Realistic bill structures – we’re flexible 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 top-quality criminal defense without going broke. We build tenacious defenses, are available 24/7, and don’t give up 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 build defenses for a diverse catalog of allegations 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? Check out our complete list of Lawson, MO, criminal charges we offer payment plans for, or set up an appointment to discuss options for your case.


    Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans


    Combs Waterkotte Lawson Criminal Defense Strategies

    When you hire us, our mission is find the most positive outcome for your case, whatever it is. Whatever you’re facing, our team will create a trial-ready, fearless defense that intimidates the state and impacts juries. We also take advantage of our relationships with prosecutors and judges across MO to get charges dismissed and obtain favorable plea deals.

    Here are some of the main defense strategies we use against criminal charges in Lawson, MO:


    Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans


    Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Lawson, MO? Low on Funds? Call Combs Waterkotte

    We’re not here to pinch pennies or put you in debt – we’re here to defend your freedom and your future. Our team of leading Lawson, 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 another case or paycheck. We are here to help you, whoever you are, and whatever legal or financial situation you’re in. Let us protect your freedom and your bank account.

    reach out online or call us at (314) 900-HELP now for a free consultation on your case, and to discuss payment plans that are right for you.

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