Sugar Creek, MO, Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans. When the government makes allegations against you, you’re probably already stressed out. They’re stressful, have potentially life-altering consequences, and can become your whole life while you fight them. But frequently, you’re facing another hurdle outside of the legal system to overcome: How am I going to afford a lawyer?
As scary of a question as it is, there is an answer: You can still hire a top-quality Sugar Creek criminal defense attorney to defend your rights. At Combs Waterkotte, we offer affordable and flexible payment plans so that you can get a group of the finest Sugar Creek, MO, lawyers without losing all your money in legal fees. 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 results-driven, award-winning team of expert criminal defense lawyers.
We’ll overview the advantages of our payment plan below, 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.
Below, we outline the price of hiring a criminal defense attorney in Sugar Creek, how payment plans can help make your defense more affordable, the features of our payment plans, and more. You can jump to a specific section below:
- What is the price of a a criminal defense attorney in Sugar Creek, MO?
- Is it a good idea to use a public defender?
- Factors that affect how much a case will cost
- Reasons to look for payment plans when hiring a lawyer
- How our criminal defense payment plans benefit our clients
- Case types we offer 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 Sugar Creek, MO criminal defense lawyer with a payment plan is right for you.
How Much Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost in Sugar Creek?
Prices for criminal defense cases can vary a lot, even for the same lawyer. The different circumstances for each case can increase or decrease costs a lot. 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 more than is typical 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 drawbacks to both of those choices. To get a public defender in Sugar Creek, 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 causes unfavorable results for you.
Tragically, even if you have a great public defender, it’s unlikely to help you – unfortunately, due to their low resources and massive workloads, they are in a spot where they can’t give clients’ cases the time they need.
Trying to navigate the Sugar Creek, 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 protect yourself from unseen costs. Before hiring us, one client paid a ticket without speakign to a traffic lawyer, and she lost $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 are considered when a lawyer sets fees for a case. Here are the key ones to keep in mind:
- Location: Cases in cities tend to cost more than in the country, thanks to higher levels of competition and more expenses.
- 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 your defense requires specialized work, for example, hiring an expert forensic analyst as a witness, you will likely have to pay more.
What Difference Will a Payment Plan Make?
Payment plans can make a massive difference for defendants facing criminal allegations. Because there isn’t a large upfront cost, more people can afford a top attorney 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.
Normally, people aren’t thinking about what to do if they’re facing prosecution. They’re not building a fund to cover the costs of criminal defense. Payment plans make hiring a premium legal defense team for your case not only possible, but reasonable.
Legal Videos

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?
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
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?
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?
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?
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 …
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 handle our billing in a way to make it reasonable and affordable for everyday people, facing everything from DWIs to murder charges.
Here’s how our payment plans can protect your budget:
- Low deposits – our down payments for both felonies and misdemeanors are affordable.
- Realistic bill structures – we’re understanding 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 – you don’t get stuck with surprise expenses or the buildup of hourly fees..
Get a quality criminal defense without breaking the bank. We build staunch 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 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 each of them. Here are some of the most common charges we defend clients against:
Are you up against something not on that list? Read through the complete list of Sugar Creek, MO, criminal charges we offer payment plans for, or get in touch today to discuss what we can do for your case.

Combs Waterkotte Sugar Creek Criminal Defense Strategies
At Combs Waterkotte, our objective is find the most positive outcome for your case, whatever it is. Regardless of the charges, our team will create 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 dismissed and obtain favorable plea deals.
Want to learn more about how we do it? These are some typical defense strategies we use against criminal charges in Sugar Creek, MO:
- Alibi
- Self Defense/Defense of Others
- Lack of Intent
- Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
- Fifth Amendment Rights Violation
- Duress
- Necessity

Charged With a Crime in Sugar Creek, MO? Low on Funds? Call Combs Waterkotte
We’re not here to empty your bank accounts or force you into debt – we’re here to defend your freedom and your future. Our team of top-rated Sugar Creek, MO, criminal defense lawyers has defended over 10,000 cases 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 help good people in bad situations, both legal and financial. Let us protect your freedom and your bank account.
Get in touch online or call us at (314) 900-HELP now for a free consultation on your case, and to figure out payment plans that are right for you.

