Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
65 Client Reviews
PRO
Kathryn Elizabeth Roberts
also known as Kate Roberts
Virtual Consultation Available
About Kathryn
Biography
Born & raised in the Lehigh Valley, always wanted to do criminal defense-exciting & challenging but never boring! One of the things my clients always tell me is that they like that they can reach me without having to call me over and over. I try to call people back the same day whenever possible.
Just Google my name (Attorney Kate Roberts or Attorney Kathryn Roberts).
You'll find lots of newspaper articles from the Morning Call and Lehigh Valley Live about cases of mine in the news. I've had 109 jury trials in the last 24 years, including several month-long trials in federal court. That's a HUGE amount--some criminal attorneys have NEVER had a trial--and that is the only measurement that matters. Sometimes it's hard for people to figure out if the attorney they're thinking to hire is any good. The measure for a criminal defense attorney is simple--trial experience. I keep a list on my wall of all the cases I've won over the years. Keep in mind that "winning" can sometimes mean the person never got charged at all, or won a compromise that was more than the person dreamed of getting, along with, of course, a "not guilty" verdict after a trial. When you are interviewing attorneys, ask the person how many times he or she has had a trial and if they keep a list. If they hesitate to answer you, move on! Would you want a doctor to evaluate you for surgery if he'd never DONE the surgery?? Even if you don't want to go to trial in your case and you're looking for a quiet way to work out your case, prosecutors know the reputation of attorneys who win and challenge cases versus attorneys who don't. I spend most of my time in the courts of Lehigh County and Northampton County. I also spend a great deal of time in federal criminal court, mostly in Philadelphia. I have only ever practiced criminal defense--I never wanted to be a prosecutor, a judge, or do other legal work. Many people have come to me over the years and asked me if I would consider running for election to be a judge. However, I don't think I have the right temperament to do that. Being a judge requires having many hours of patience, and sitting in courtroom for many hours every day. I prefer to be an advocate! Criminal defense is always interesting and we need strong attorneys to challenge police and prosecutors who make assumptions.
As for the way I run my office, I try not to overcharge people. I see that happen a lot, especially with DUI cases. Lawyers simply should not be charging people $5,000 for a DUI case in which the person may get ARD or working out a deal in a 1st offense and pleading guilty. I am astounded when I hear about lawyers charging people $8,000 or $10,000 for a DUI case and even more astounded when I see that lawyer walk the client through a guilty plea, without raising any legal challenges. Add to that, often the lawyers that are charging those very high fees are not even from the Lehigh Valley--their main office is in some other county in the Poconos or Philadelphia and they don't even have much familiarity with our courts, judges or prosecutors. Hand-holding by a lawyer is not worth $8,000 or $10,000! When I have a simpler DUI case (no major accident, 1st or 2nd offense), I generally charge between $1,500 and $2,500 if the DUI case is in Lehigh or Northampton County. Trials are another matter entirely--I would generally charge at least $10,000 for a trial, because preparing a trial is long and complicated for an attorney. And, most important, if I'm going to trial with my client, I want to win!
As for other criminal cases, fees vary widely depending on the scenario. Very often I am asked to give a consultation. I do free consultations every day, usually for about 1/2 hour with someone. Sometimes, however, people need much more in-depth advice on a complicated case, or as a 2nd opinion because they already have an attorney and would like to have a couple hours with me, but aren't sure they would have the funds to change attorneys. In that scenario, I usually offer to do a paid, lengthier consultation of 2 hours or so, for $300. That way, I am covered for my time, and I can tell the person all the good and all the bad that they really need to know about their case.
AGGRESSIVE CRIMINAL DEFENSE IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY FOR 27 YEARS. Free consultations Easy to reach, ALWAYS returns phone calls!
CRIMINAL DEFENSE IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY FOR 25 YEARS Free consultations Easy to reach, ALWAYS returns phone calls!
PFA (Protection from Abuse cases). Defending people who got served with a PFA or violation of a PFA, and assisting others who are seeking a PFA--preparation and understanding how your judge handles PFAs helps a lot! I can help you navigate and find strategies that work!
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
50%
28 years | 5,000 cases
Criminal Defense
45%
28 years | 5,000 cases
Family
5%
28 years | 500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 27 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Location
Law office of Kathryn Roberts, Esquire
527 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18101
AllentownCriminalLaw.comKathryn Elizabeth Roberts's Reviews
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Practice Areas
Criminal Defense (43)
DUI & DWI (22)
Domestic Violence (5)
Lawsuits & Disputes (5)
Drug Crime (3)
Expungement (3)
Gun Law (3)
Child Custody (2)
Federal Crime (2)
Immigration (2)
Litigation (2)
Family (1)
Juvenile (1)
Landlord & Tenant (1)
Speeding & Traffic Ticket (1)
Violent Crime (1)
White Collar Crime (1)
Showing 6 - 8 of 8 reviews | Compassion
Posted by anonymous | November 23, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Domestic Violence
Excellent PFA Defense
Unfortunately, I was served with a temporary PFA and the hearing was 10 days after being served. After a web search for PFA attorney's in my area, I was having a very challenging time finding an attorney who was even available on such short notice. I was getting desperate because it was Friday and th...
Kathryn Roberts
Replied last December 03, 2021Thank you for that review--I know who you are! Good luck on the new job!
Posted by Nish | June 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Hire Her !!!!!
Where do I start? Attorney Kate is great at what she does which is defending you. My pending charges were high (Felony Aggravated assault, Domestic violence). The police report did not have all of the information which unfortunately made me look bad. It almost seemed impossible to get any help and pr...
Posted by Maryellen | February 11, 2017 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Wonderful lawyer and now a friend too
I hired Kate to represent my son for his DUI. I use her first name because after handling 2 different cases for us, I"m proud to say she's become a friend. My son is a senior at Lehigh U and doesn't need the aggravation of losing his license for too long but especially needs his record clear of any...
Kathryn Elizabeth Roberts's Lawyer Endorsements
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James Heidecker
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2023
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2023
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1998
Best Research Article--A Unified Family Court for Pennsylvania, Family Law course--Villanova Law School
1998
Highest placement 1st year, Villanova Law Review
1997
CRIMINAL LAW GOLD IN MOOT COURT--1ST PLACE STUDENT COMPETITION, VILLANOVA LAW SCHOOL
Work Experience
2006 - Present
Private law firm, Law Offices of Kathryn Roberts, Esq--Allentown, Pa
2006 - Present
Federal Criminal defense attorney--Eastern District of Pa, Criminal Justice Act Panel Federal Defender
2020 - 2026
Instructor, Pa. State Police Academy--instructor on criminal procedure in DUI cases and cross examination in court
2000 - 2013
Public Defender, Lehigh County Public Defender--Allentown, Pa
1998 - 2000
Clerk, President Judge William H. Platt--Lehigh County, Allentown, Pa
1997 - 1997
Law clerk, Office of DHS in Phila, Pa
1997 - 1998
legal intern, Office of Protection from Abuse (PFA)-Phila
1996 - 1996
Law Clerk for Judge Paul Panepinto, First Judicial District Of Pennsylvania
1994 - 1995
caseworker, Lehigh Co. Office of Children & Youth (OCYS)
Associations
2018 - Present
Nazareth Area School DistrictDirector
2006 - Present
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyersmember
1998 - Present
Lehigh County Bar Associationmember
2012 - 2015
Bath Borough Councilelected member of town council
2007 - 2007
Rotary Clubwinner/recipient of Rotary exchange to South Africa for 6 weeks
2000 - 2004
Lehigh County Bar AssociationExecutive Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
United States v. Harold Palmer
not guilty on most serious charge, guilty on lesser offense
Commonwealth v Miguel Ruiz
Not guilty by jury on 1st & 2nd degree murder, guilty of 3rd degree
Education
1998
Villanova University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1994
Ithaca College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1988
Southern Lehigh High School
high school
Speaking Engagements
2008
American Inns of Court
DUI law updates in PA
Publications
2000
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawye
DUI LAW FOR JUVENILES IN PENNSYLVANIA: different standards and different consequences
1998
VILLANOVA 1998 MOOT COURT CHAMPIONSHIP BRIEF
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION UNDER THE ADA FOR A BLIND POLICE OFFICER
1998
FAMILY LAW JOURNAL
A UNIFIED FAMILY COURT FOR PENNSYLVANIA
Languages
English
French
Spanish
Arabic
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What is "entry of civil judgment" on docket sheet?
20 Aug 2015
Q&A
Is there a good chance my dui of marijuana get dismissed.
24 Jan 2015
Q&A
So I was charged in pa with 2 counts of disorderly conduct. The criminal code is the same and were filed at the same time.
13 Jan 2015