FIRST-TIME SEX CRIME DEFENSE IN NORTH CAROLINA

First-Time Sex Crime Charges in North Carolina: What to Know and What to Do

A first-time sex crime charge is one of the most terrifying and confusing experiences someone can face.

In North Carolina, even those with no prior record can be arrested, held without bond, and prosecuted as if they were repeat offenders. The stakes are high—and the system moves quickly.

Patrick Roberts Law has helped individuals across Raleigh, Durham, and Wake County face serious charges with no previous contact with the criminal justice system. We understand what you're going through and how to defend your name, your record, and your future.

To schedule your confidential consultation, contact us online or give us a call at 919-746-7206 now.

What happens when someone is charged with a sex crime for the first time in North Carolina?

The process typically begins with a report to the police or child protective services. If law enforcement believes there is probable cause, they may issue a warrant or make a direct arrest—sometimes without a full investigation.

From there, a first-time defendant may face:

• Immediate incarceration in county jail (often Wake County Detention Center)
• A magistrate or judge determining bond conditions
• A formal reading of charges in district court
• Conditions like house arrest, GPS monitoring, or no-contact orders

Even those with no criminal history can be treated with the same severity as repeat offenders, especially in high-stakes sex crime cases.

Do first-time offenders in Raleigh have a better chance at leniency?

Not automatically. While a clean record is a positive factor, North Carolina judges and prosecutors place more emphasis on the charge itself than the defendant’s history. Charges involving minors, coercion, or internet-based offenses may lead to:

• Mandatory prison time
• Lifetime registration as a sex offender
• Loss of custody, employment, and housing options

The key to a more favorable outcome is not relying on your clean record—it’s building a strong, fact-driven legal defense from the very beginning.

What legal options exist for first-time sex offense defendants?

First-time defendants in Wake County may have access to options that repeat offenders do not, but these are never guaranteed. Some charges—particularly those involving minors or accusations of force—may carry mandatory penalties, even for first offenses. At Patrick Roberts Law, we explore every possible path, including:

• Pretrial dismissal due to lack of evidence or witness issues
• Motion to suppress illegally obtained evidence
• Negotiated resolutions that reduce or reclassify charges
• Trial defense if the case cannot be resolved without fighting in court

Each case is unique. That’s why our legal strategies are based on your specific facts—not generic approaches.

Will a first offense put you on the sex offender registry in North Carolina?

It depends on the charge. Many first-time offenses—especially those involving minors, internet communication, or allegations of force—require mandatory sex offender registration upon conviction.

Some first-time offenders are eligible for limited or petitionable registration durations, while others face lifetime placement. Failing to register or violating registry terms is itself a felony.

This is one of the most damaging outcomes of a conviction, which is why preventing a conviction in the first place must be your top legal priority.

How can Patrick Roberts help if this is your first criminal charge?

Patrick Roberts brings more than 20 years of courtroom experience to every case. As a former Assistant District Attorney in Wake, Johnston, and New Hanover counties, he understands both the prosecution’s strategy and how to counter it.

His academic and legal training includes:

• A degree from Johns Hopkins University
• A law degree from Duke University School of Law
• Postgraduate trial education at the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and National Criminal Defense College

What sets Patrick Roberts apart is his court-tested strategy and client-first approach. He’s represented hundreds of people in Raleigh and surrounding areas who were facing the justice system for the first time—many of whom walked away without a conviction.

Client Testimonial

"Law enforcement showed up at our house with a warrant to search the entire premises. They were after my teenage son. They knew every aspect of our life, right down to my wife's health condition. It was horrifying. No arrests were made, but the next 48 hours we did not know what to expect. We stayed close to each other as much as possible, not knowing what was going to happen next. We felt hopeless and felt that in a few days our son would be in prison. I scoured the internet looking for somebody to help. I found Patrick Roberts and noticed he [concentrated] in crimes that my son was accused of. I called his office and he told us to come in right away. Because Mr. Roberts worked as a prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer in NC, he understands how the investigation process works. He was able to negotiate the best possible outcome for my son. If it were not for the experience and care that Mr. Roberts [showed], my son would not have a future."

Explore more about how we’ve helped first-time defendants avoid long-term consequences on our Case Results page.

What should you do if you’ve just been charged?

If this is your first brush with the law, it’s critical to take action fast. Here’s what we recommend:

• Do not talk to law enforcement without a lawyer present
• Document your timeline — who you were with, what occurred, and where
• Save all electronic communication (texts, DMs, email)
• Tell your defense attorney the full truth, even if some details are uncomfortable
• Avoid social media and direct contact with the accuser

Time is your biggest asset—or your biggest risk. Every delay limits your defense options and gives prosecutors a head start.

A First Offense Is Serious — But It Doesn’t Have to Define You

If you've been charged with a sex crime for the first time in North Carolina, the fear is real—but so are your options. With the right legal defense, it is possible to avoid conviction, preserve your record, and move forward with your life.

Patrick Roberts Law serves clients throughout Raleigh, Durham, and Wake County with strategic, personalized defense. Whether you're facing charges involving minors, online communication, or unwanted contact, we are here to protect what matters most.

For more about our legal approach and how we help first-time defendants, visit our Sex Offenses Overview page.

Contact us online or call our office directly at 919-746-7206 now to schedule a confidential consultation.