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
also known as Kate Roberts
Virtual Consultation Available
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.
3
Practice Areas
28 years | 5,000 cases
28 years | 5,000 cases
28 years | 500 cases
Sometimes
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
527 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA, 18101
AllentownCriminalLaw.comShowing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by HANY | August 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Compassionate and Skillful Legal Representation
Mrs. Roberts is an exceptional criminal defense attorney whose dedication, expertise, and professionalism truly set her apart. From the very beginning, she approached my case with honesty, clarity, and a strong command of the law. She kept me informed at every step, always took the time to answer my ...
Posted by anonymous | February 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Above and beyond
I had another lawyer prior to Kathryn and after speaking to her for only 20 minutes, I felt confident that she was more knowledgeable of both the goings on in the DA's office but also her general knowledge of the law was impeccable. She was able to foresee many different directions that the case coul...
Posted by Kevin | October 08, 2023 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Highly Recommend Attorney Roberts
A few years back I received a DUI and it was my first offense. . I was very worried and scared. I went on AVVO and looked for a lawyer that handles criminal cases. I saw that attorney Roberts had all 5 star reviews so I contacted her and hired her. I am very glad I did. She is very intelligent, kn...
Posted by Angelica | September 11, 2023 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
GLAD I SEARCHED CAREFULLY
We hired Attorney Roberts for our son's DUI case along with a separate citation for public drunkenness at a local college. I spoke to many lawyers and I wasn't sure what I was looking for until I spoke with Ms Roberts. Immediately I recognized a difference. She explained honestly what were the typi...
Posted by anonymous | November 12, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Best attorney in the Lehigh Valley
Unfortunately I've had to use Kate twice, she's a no-nonsense attorney, completely honest and will always work in your best interest, even if it's not what you want to hear. Very knowledgeable, and will always get you the best deal possible.
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Criminal defense lawyer
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
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)
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
not guilty on most serious charge, guilty on lesser offense
Not guilty by jury on 1st & 2nd degree murder, guilty of 3rd degree
1998
JD - Juris Doctor
1994
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1988
high school
2008
DUI law updates in PA
2000
1998
1998
English
French
Spanish
Arabic
Legal Answers
What is "entry of civil judgment" on docket sheet?
20 Aug 2015
Is there a good chance my dui of marijuana get dismissed.
24 Jan 2015
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