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Waldo, MO

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Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Waldo, MO, Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans. When the government makes allegations against you, you’re probably already stressed out. Navigating the MO legal process is an immense challenge all on its own. But for many people, possibly you, there’s an important question you have to ask before you start building your defense: How are you going to afford a defense attorney?

Don’t give up on getting a top-quality Waldo criminal defense attorney to protect your freedom. At Combs Waterkotte, we offer affordable and flexible payment plans so that you can get an elite team of attorneys without going bankrupt in the process. And being affordable doesn’t mean you’re getting a lesser defense – when you work with our team, you’re getting a highly experienced, award-winning team of expert criminal defense lawyers.

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 to give you an idea of how we can help, and can decide on next steps after our call.

Below, we outline the costs of criminal defense lawyers in Waldo, why payment plans may be a good choice for you, ways we make our payment plans work for our clients, and more. You can jump to a specific point using the below links:

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


How Much Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost in Waldo?

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. They can range anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to as much as $25,000 for involved felony cases. MO lawyers, in particular, tend to cost slightly above average for the United States.

What About Public Defenders? Or Self-Representation?

When you’re facing those kinds of fees, no one would blame you for thinking about getting a public defender or representing yourself. But don’t make that decision lightly – there are major drawbacks to both of those choices. To get a public defender in Waldo, 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. Public defenders also frequently negotiate subpar plea deals, which causes 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 lack of funding and immense caseloads, they just aren’t able to give your case the attention it needs.

Trying to navigate the Waldo, MO, legal process on your own can be even worse, though: Even for something as minor as a traffic ticket, you need a lawyer to warn you about hidden consequences. Before hiring us, one client paid a ticket without thinking about it, 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 are considered when a lawyer sets fees for a case. Here are the key ones to be aware of:

  • Location: Urban cases tend to be more expensive than rural cases, thanks to higher levels of competition and more expenses.
  • Kind of Charge: Felony allegations normally cost less than misdemeanor allegations. Additionally, some defenses can be more expensive because of the sensitive nature of the allegation, like with sex crimes.
  • Experience: Experienced, expert lawyers will typically charge more than their novice counterparts.
  • 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 make a big difference in both your budget and your defense quality. Without a huge upfront cost, more people can afford a top attorney without going bankrupt.

The best payment plans are customizable, so that you and your attorney can find something that works for both of you.

We know that most people aren’t expecting to face criminal charges. 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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Play video

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What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?

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Play video

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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 …

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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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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 your bank account looks like. Because of that, we structure our fees 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 – 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 take cash, 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 leading criminal defense without going broke. We build staunch 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 take pride in defending a wide variety of criminal charges in MO and offer payment plans for each of them. Below are some of the popular allegations we defend people against:

    Facing a different criminal charge? Look at the complete list of Waldo, MO, criminal charges we offer payment plans for, or set up an appointment to talk about what we can do for your case.


    Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans


    Combs Waterkotte Waldo Criminal Defense Strategies

    At Combs Waterkotte, our goal is find the most positive outcome for your case, whatever it is. No matter what situation you’re in, our team will put together 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 to protect the rights of people in Waldo, MO:


    Criminal Defense Lawyers With Payment Plans


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

    We’re not here to be stingy or put you in debt – we’re here to protect your life and your future. Our team of leading Waldo, 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 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.

    Get in touch online or call us at (314) 900-HELP anytime for a free case examination, and to discuss payment plans that make it affordable for you.

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