Kathryn Roberts Lawyer Reviews & Ratings - Allentown

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.