A. Patrick Roberts
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina
Patrick Roberts Law PLLC
Practice areas: Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in North Carolina since: 2002
Education: Duke University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2019 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2013 - 2015 Call today:
919-205-8760
Virtual Appointments 
Free Consultation Patrick Roberts Law PLLC
314 W Millbrook RdSuite 21
Raleigh, NC 27609 Visit website
North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney
When you or someone you love is facing serious criminal charges, the fear is immediate and overwhelming. Your reputation, freedom, career, and family may all feel at risk — and the legal system can feel confusing, unforgiving, and stacked against you.
Patrick Roberts understands that fear. For more than two decades, he has stood beside people at their most vulnerable moments and guided them through some of the most serious criminal cases in North Carolina.
Patrick Roberts is the founder of Patrick Roberts Law PLLC and a veteran criminal defense attorney with over 24 years of courtroom experience. He has handled thousands of criminal cases across North Carolina, including high-stakes felony matters involving sex crime allegations, child sexual assault accusations, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and complex white-collar charges.
What sets Patrick Roberts apart is not just experience — it’s perspective.
Before dedicating his career to defending the accused, Mr. Roberts served as an Assistant County Attorney in three North Carolina jurisdictions. He knows how prosecutors evaluate cases, where investigations break down, and how charging decisions are really made behind closed doors. That insider understanding allows him to identify weaknesses early and protect clients long before trial becomes inevitable.
Clients and families often come to Mr. Roberts feeling panicked, ashamed, or unsure who to trust. His approach is calm, direct, and strategic. He takes the time to explain what is happening, what is likely to happen next, and — most importantly — what can be done to protect the client’s future. Many cases are resolved quietly and favorably because of decisions made before charges are ever filed.
Mr. Roberts is a seasoned trial lawyer, but he is equally known for preventing cases from escalating unnecessarily. When trial is unavoidable, he brings disciplined preparation, sharp cross-examination, and a deep understanding of North Carolina criminal procedure into the courtroom.
His professional credentials reflect the respect he has earned within the legal community:
→ Graduate of Duke University School of Law
→ Bachelor’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University
→ AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell (peer-reviewed)
→ Featured in Super Lawyers Magazine
→ Featured on the cover of Attorney-at-Law Magazine
→ Quoted by national outlets including USA Today and Fox News
→ Co-author of two legal books
→ Former Commissioner of the North Carolina State Ethics Commission
→ Former member of the North Carolina Juvenile Justice Planning Committee
→ Admitted to practice in all North Carolina state and federal courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court
Despite these credentials, clients consistently describe Mr. Roberts as approachable, focused, and relentlessly prepared. He understands that no two cases — and no two families — are the same. Every defense strategy is built around the specific facts, risks, and long-term consequences involved.
If you are searching late at night, worried about what tomorrow will bring, know this: an accusation is not a conviction. There are options. There are defenses. And having the right attorney early can change everything.
Patrick Roberts does not promise outcomes — no ethical lawyer can. What he does promise is experience, honesty, preparation, and an unwavering commitment to protecting his clients at every stage of the criminal process.
Office Locations:
Raleigh Office
314 W Millbrook Rd, Suite 21
Raleigh, NC 27609
Durham Office
555 S. Mangum Street, Suite 100
Durham, NC 27701
Chapel Hill Office
1340 Environ Way, 3rd Floor
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Cary Office
543 Keisler Dr, Suite 202
Cary, NC 27518
Practice areas
Criminal DefenseFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Murder, Probation, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft
- 100% Criminal Defense
First Admitted: 2002, North Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://www.patrickroberts.law/attorney-patrick-roberts.html
Bar / Professional Activity
- Lifetime Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
- Member, National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center (NCADRC), 2025
- United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2012
- U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 2010
- United States Supreme Court, 2010
- U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina, 2010
- Vice President, Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers, 2009
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 2008
- Member, American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section
- Member, National College for DUI Defense
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Case Results Disclaimer: The case outcomes described on this profile represent specific legal matters handled by Attorney Patrick Roberts. These summaries are provided purely for informational purposes to illustrate his professional experience. Each legal matter involves unique facts, evidence, and legal variables; therefore, these descriptions do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome in any future case.
- Accusation: Alleged Rape Following an Encounter at a bar. Result: No Charges Filed. Attorney Roberts intervened during the pre-charge investigative phase by conducting an independent review of the encounter. By presenting objective facts directly to investigators, he demonstrated a lack of grounds for prosecution and secured a closure of the file before any formal charges could be filed., 2026
- Accusation: Alleged Presence of a Registered Sex Offender on School Premises. Result: Case dismissed. Attorney Roberts systematically analyzed the tracking data and situational evidence to demonstrate that his client lacked the required criminal intent to be on the school property, resulting in a dismissal of the charge., 2026
- Accusation: Alleged Sexual Touching Involving a 15-Year-Old Minor. Facing: A minimum of 12 years in prison. Result: Charges not filed. Attorney Roberts intervened during the initial investigative stage to provide representation throughout the Child Protective Services (CPS) process. By participating early in the matter, he presented evidence and context that led CPS to find the allegations unsubstantiated, which prevented law enforcement from filing criminal charges., 2025
- Accusation: Alleged Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 13. Facing: 25 years to life in prison. Result: Charges not filed. After the client was accused by his stepdaughter regarding an alleged incident at his home, Attorney Roberts conducted an immediate, independent evaluation. By gathering objective evidence that demonstrated the narrative was inconsistent and unreliable, Mr. Roberts convinced law enforcement to decline prosecution and close the investigation during the pre-charge phase., 2025
- Accusation: Sexual Offense with a Child. Result: Charges not filed. After law enforcement initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual touching, the defense conducted an independent investigation establishing that the children's biological father was a convicted sex offender, which convinced the State to decline prosecution.
- Accusation: Eight Counts of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretenses, Financial Card Fraud, and Identity Theft (State); Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft (Federal Investigation). Facing: 153 months in state prison, plus up to 22 years if indicted federally. Result: Pleaded to a misdemeanor for time served on state charges and avoided federal prosecution. Following a multi-state investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, the defense brokered a joint resolution with two county district attorneys and the U.S. Attorney's Office, enabling the client to avoid all active prison time, felony convictions, and federal prosecution.
- Accusation: Making False Statements to Obtain Federal Workers' Compensation Benefits. Facing: 5 years in prison. Result: Probation secured. Although federal surveillance captured the client working on a family farm after he reported no business involvement on a benefits form, and guidelines recommended a 10-to-16-month prison sentence, the defense presented critical mitigating factors that convinced the court to impose probation.
- Accusation: Larceny by Employee, Embezzlement, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, and Obtaining Property by False Pretense. Facing: 24 to 68 months in prison. Result: Charges dismissed. Following a targeted defense challenge to the legal basis of each individual count regarding the alleged theft of construction company materials, the prosecution dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence.
- Accusation: Felony Level I Trafficking in Heroin, Simple Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance, and Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance. Facing: Mandatory minimum of 70 to 93 months in prison and a mandatory $50,000 fine for trafficking, plus 140 days for possession. Result: Felony trafficking charge dismissed; pleaded to two misdemeanor possession counts and received probation. After obtaining the law enforcement checkpoint plan, the defense drafted a motion to suppress based on constitutional violations, which prompted the state to dismiss the trafficking charge before trial.
- Accusation: Three Counts of Trafficking in Cocaine Over 400 Grams. Facing: Mandatory minimum of 175 months in prison on each count. Result: Probation secured. Despite state evidence including recordings, electronic device data, and federal investigative reports, the defense negotiated a plea agreement permitting a probationary argument and subsequently convinced the court to reject prison time based on the client's employment history and clean record.
- Accusation: Possession of Heroin; Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Heroin; Trafficking in Opium or Heroin; Maintaining a Vehicle, Dwelling, or Place for Controlled Substances; Possession of a Stolen Firearm; Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana; Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia; and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Facing: Mandatory 70 to 93 months in prison for trafficking, plus up to 126 months for the remaining counts. Result: Case completely dismissed. Following a challenge by the defense regarding the legal sufficiency of a search warrant—specifically highlighting unreliable informant data and inadequately detailed controlled drug purchases—the court ruled the warrant lacked probable cause, forcing the State to dismiss all charges.
- Accusation: Driving While Impaired (DWI). Facing: Up to 2 months in jail. Result: Charge completely dismissed. After the client registered a 0.10 breathalyzer reading, the defense filed a pre-trial motion to suppress based on a lack of reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop, which resulted in the dismissal of the DWI charge.
- Accusation: Driving While Impaired (DWI). Facing: Up to 2 months in jail. Result: Charge completely dismissed. After the client registered a 0.08 breathalyzer reading, the defense filed a pre-trial motion challenging the driver's license checkpoint, which resulted in the dismissal of the DWI charge.
- Accusation: Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Wire, and Bank Fraud. Facing: 5 years in prison. Result: Probation secured. The defense argued that active incarceration was unnecessary by emphasizing the public official's significant role in the community and consistent history of good behavior, convincing the judge to reject the 60-month guideline recommendation and impose a probationary sentence.
- Accusation: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Aiding and Abetting. Facing: 40 years in prison. Result: Deferred prosecution agreement secured. The defense presented a targeted legal argument to the Assistant United States Attorney regarding the client's alleged role in preparing documentation for straw buyers, successfully convincing the government to defer all criminal prosecution.
- Accusation: Common Law Robbery. Facing: 31 to 47 months in prison. Result: Common Law Robbery charge dismissed; pleaded to reduced charge of larceny and received 24 months of probation with 7 days in jail. Although the client confessed to using a BB pistol, the defense presented psychiatric records establishing severe mental health disorders, convincing the prosecution to drop the felony robbery charge.
- Accusation: First-Degree Murder and Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Facing: Mandatory life sentence, plus 160 to 204 months in prison. Result: Pleaded to reduced charges of Second-Degree Murder; sentenced to 144 to 185 months. Despite compelling state evidence that the client arranged a drug transaction that resulted in a fatal robbery, the defense successfully negotiated a reduction to a lower-level B2 felony classification. By establishing that the offense was based on a reckless, inherently dangerous act rather than intentional malice, the defense removed the mandatory life sentence and secured a term that permits release in the client's early thirties.
- Accusation: First-Degree Murder. Facing: Mandatory life sentence. Result: Not Guilty verdict returned by the jury. The defense filed multiple pre-trial motions in limina, successfully preventing the State from introducing prejudicial evidence regarding alleged gang affiliations. Although the prosecution presented video footage, multiple eyewitnesses, and GPS electronic ankle monitoring data placing the client at the scene of the shooting, the defense successfully challenged the state's identification evidence at trial.
- Accusation: First-Degree Murder and Concealment of Death. Facing: Life in prison. Result: Pleaded to involuntary manslaughter and concealment of death; sentenced to 60 to 84 months. After retaining a preeminent toxicology expert, the defense demonstrated that the narcotics allegedly provided did not cause the fatality.
- Accusation: Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Facing: 160 to 204 months in prison. Result: Charges completely dismissed. Following a comprehensive review of the state's evidence regarding the alleged theft of cash and jewelry involving a firearm, the defense identified critical evidentiary deficiencies. Despite the client's prior criminal record, the defense's findings led the State to dismiss all charges prior to trial.
- Accusation: Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer Inflicting Serious Injury. Facing: 59 months in prison. Result: Case Dismissed by the Court following a successful pre-trial motion to dismiss for selective enforcement and racial discrimination. After the client was detained for trespassing while other non-minority individuals in the park were ignored, a confrontation ensued where the client acted in self-defense. The defense identified and presented critical contradictions in the officers' testimonies during an evidentiary hearing, leading the judge to dismiss the felony assault charge.
- Accusation: Statutory Sexual Offense of a Person Who Is 13, 14, or 15 Years Old; First Degree Statutory Sexual Offense (Child Under 13) (2 Counts); Statutory Rape of a Person Who Is 13, 14, or 15 Years Old; and Indecent Liberties with a Child (4 Counts).Result: Dismissal of all four life-qualifying Class B1 felonies; client pleaded to Indecent Liberties with a Child and received 32–40 months in prison followed by probation. Despite the client making admissions to counselors, the defense successfully negotiated a resolution that dropped the most severe felony counts, completely removing the threat of a lifetime prison sentence.
Pro bono / Community Service
- Commissioner, North Carolina State Ethics Commission, 2017
- Commissioner, North Carolina State Ethics Commission, 2016
- Juvenile Justice Planning Committee, 2014
Educational Background
- Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina, J.D., 1997-2000
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, B.A. in Engineering, 1997, 1993-1997
- National Criminal Defense College Forensic Cross-Examination Workshop , 2026
- National Criminal Defense College (NCDC) Cross Examination Workshop, 2025
- White Collar Criminal Defense College - Graduate, 2013
- National Criminal Defense College - Graduated from the Trial Practice Institute, 2011
- Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College - Graduate, 2010
White Papers
- When you’re looking at federal time, the numbers count. Criminal history points, offense levels, the number of alleged victims and the dollar amounts involved can all impact the amount of time that you serve. Here’s what you need to know about federal white collar crimes and the sentences that are handed down., The Numbers Count: Fraud and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Lecture to newly admitted attorneys on how to properly establish a law practice., Speaker, Starting and Running a Law Office, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2013
- Lecture to newly admitted attorneys on how to properly establish a law practice., Speaker, Organization of Your Law Office - The Basics, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2012
- Taught a college survey course at North Carolina Wesleyan College on issues of criminal and regulatory law, Course Instructor, Legal Environment for Business, 2008
- Taught a college survey course at North Carolina Wesleyan College on issues of criminal and regulatory law, Course Instructor, Legal Environment for Business, 2007
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Featured as the "Attorney of the Month" on the cover of Attorney-At-Law magazine. , 2022
- Featured in an article published in Super Lawyers magazine in 2018. The title of the article was "Started From The Bottom.", 2018
Honors
- Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell ®, 2026
- Client's Choice Award, Avvo.com, 2026
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell ®, 2026
- Nation's Top 1 Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2026
- Nation's Top 1 Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2025
- Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell ®, 2025
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell ®, 2025
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2024
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2023
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2022
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2021
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2020
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2019
- Selected by peers to receive this award that acknowledges high ethical standards and competence in the field of Criminal Defense, AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2018
- Selected to receive this award after his clients rated him very highly., Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2024
- Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2023
- Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2022
- Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2021
- Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2020
- Client Champion Platinum Award, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2019
- Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell, 2018
- Attorney Roberts was nominated by his peers and awarded this designation after a national vetting process., Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2017
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2014
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2015
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2013
- Client's Choice Award, Avvo.com, 2017
- Client's Choice Award, Avvo.com, 2016
- Client's Choice Award, Avvo.com, 2015
- Client's Choice Award, Avvo.com, 2014
- Client's Choice Award, Avvo.com, 2011
- Attorney Roberts was nominated by his peers and awarded this designation after a national vetting process., Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2013
- Attorney Roberts was nominated by his peers and selected for this award after a national vetting process., Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013
- Attorney Roberts was nominated by his peers and awarded this designation after a national vetting process., Nation's Top 1 Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2018
- Nation's Top 1 Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2017
- Nation's Top 1 Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2016
- Nation's Top 1 Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015
Office location for A. Patrick Roberts
314 W Millbrook Rd
Suite 21
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 919-205-8760
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2019
- Rising Stars: 2013 - 2015
