Born in Joplin, Missouri, Roberts received a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University in 1960 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1963.
From 1964 to 1968 he was a United States Marine Corps Captain.
He was a prosecuting attorney of Jasper County, Missouri, from 1971 to 1977.
[1] Roberts was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on August 6, 1982, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri vacated by Judge John R. Gibson.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 20, 1982, and received his commission the same day.