Charges
Two Counts of Statutory Rape of Child, NCGS 14-27.25; Two Counts of Indecent Liberties with Child, NCGS 14-202.1; One Count of Statutory Sex Off with Child, NCGS 14-27.30; One Count of Contributing Delinquency of Juvenile, NCGS 14-316.1
Facing
Facing LIFE in prison for each Statutory Sex Offense; 59 months in prison for each count of indecent liberties with a minor; 120 days for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Description
State vs. 'Confidential Client' - Attorney Patrick Roberts, a criminal defense lawyer for statutory offenses, defended a client who was accused of dating and engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor. The alleged victim and the client met on an 18+ dating application. After conversations with the client's roommates and the minor's father, Attorney Roberts was successful in negotiating a misdemeanor plea deal. The client pleaded guilty to a Class 1 misdemeanor for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Under this plea, the client, who was facing potential felony charges that could have resulted in a lifetime prison sentence, received a "time served" sentence and was released from jail post-plea without any probation. The client also avoided sex offender registration. As a result of Mr. Roberts' defense, the client was released from jail within 2 months of the initial charges.
Result
"Time-served" sentence
The client was given a "time-served" sentence for a misdemeanor plea, effectively avoiding imprisonment, a felony conviction, probation, and the need to register as a sex offender.
A Formal Thank You
“Having never hired a lawyer before, I was very selective and also very apprehensive about the entire situation, which was scary and overwhelming at first... While winning is what everyone wants, it's a process getting there. One which takes time and patience, and a good lawyer first and foremost... I followed my instincts and scheduled an appointment with Roberts Law Firm. To this day I consider this one of the best decisions I have ever made…
…Mr. Roberts is honestly one of the hardest working individuals I've ever come across. All of the Saturday meetings and phone calls; his accessibility and straightforwardness; and the kind, professional manner he kept consistently without fail, meant the world to me, really. I needed a hero, and he filled that role effortlessly.”
Excellent Criminal Defense Attorney
“With Patrick Roberts’ help our son was given the best possible outcome – a dismissal of all charges. His planning and communication skills ensured that our family and our out of state co-counsel were all clear on his skilled vision and guidance.
Bottom line is this: having Patrick Roberts on our side gave us great comfort during a long, tumultuous ordeal. We would never hesitate to call on him again if needed.”
“Patrick Roberts is a fierce advocate on behalf of his clients. He and lawyers at his firm are excellent criminal defense lawyers who work hard to aggressively defend their clients. Patrick Roberts also has an excellent command of many of the technical issues... that are implicated in cases involving technology, forensic science and the like. I've watched him dissect hostile witnesses on the stand, and argue for excellent outcomes for his clients.”
Peer Endorsement
"I endorse this lawyer without reservation. Patrick is plain outstanding. The highest remark I can give a lawyer is that I would ask him to represent me were I charged with a crime..."