I am Board Certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a Specialist in Criminal law. I have been practicing Criminal law in Arizona for over 25 years. I was recently awarded the Tom Karis Criminal Justice Award by the State Bar of Arizona. In Arizona only 22 lawyers earned this distinction. I also have extensive experience in Mental Health and Addiction issues in Criminal law cases.
I travel throughout Arizona representing clients in various criminal matters, including Murder, Manslaughter, Negligent Homicide, Assault, Aggravated Assault, all drug crimes including transportation for sale of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana. We travel to Kingman, Yuma, Prescott, Holbrook, Bisbee, Flagstaff. any court in Arizona. I have appeared on Tru TV (Court TV), Fox News, CNN, HLN, CNBC and many local news stations as a legal expert and commentator.
To see clipps go to https://www.youtube.com/user/dwanecates.
My team is dedicated to protecting the rights of people accused of crimes.
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
- DUI & DWI
- Juvenile Law
- White Collar Crime
- Homicide Lawyer
- Free Consultation
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Credit Cards Accepted
Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
All criminal matters with the exception of Federal Criminal Matters are handled on a flat fee basis with charges for each trial day. Federal Criminal Matters are handled on an hourly basis unless otherwise agreed upon a head of time.
- Arizona
- 8th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- ID Number: #318464
- United States District Court For the District of North Dakota
- United States District Court for the District of Arizona
- English: Spoken, Written
- Polish: Spoken, Written
- Managing Partner
- DwaneCates.com, PLLC
- - Current
- Managing Partner
- Dwane Cates Law Group, PLLC
- -
- Managing Partner
- Cates & Sargeant Law Group, PLLC
- -
- I formed a new law firm concentrating on Criminal and civil Law. Give me a call for any of you legal needs.
- Managing Partner
- Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Rakestraw, PLC
- -
- I founded Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Rakestraw, PLC right after graduating from the Sandra Day O'Conner College of Law.
- Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
- J.D. (1996) | Law
- Trial Advocacy Team and Oral Argument Competitions
- Arizona State University
- B.A. (1993) | Communication, Persuasion
- Honors: summa cum laude
- Top 100 Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers
- Since 2016
- 10.0 Superb Rating
- Avvo
- Tom Karis Criminal Justice Award
- State Bar of Arizona
- I was awarded Criminal Lawyer of the Year by the State Bar of Arizona.
- Certified Specialist in Criminal Law
- State Bar of Arizona
- Peer Review Rated
- Martindale-Hubbell
- American Association for Justice
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Criminal Law Section 2000-2014
- State Bar of Arizona
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Executive Committee of the Criminal Law Section 2017-2020
- Arizona College of Trial Advocacy
- Member
- Current
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member
- - Current
- American Bar Association
- Member Criminal Law Section
- - Current
- Highway Drug Stops and Border Patrol in Arizona
- Avvo Legal Guide
- Post Verdict Motions in Criminal Law, Advanced Criminal Law, State Bar of Arizona Offices Phoenix
- State Bar of Arizona
- Discussion of Post verdict but pre sentence motions for new trial and vacate verdicts.
- Navigating the Arizona Court System, Criminal Law Seminar, Phoenix Arizona
- State Bar of Arizona
- A 1.5 hour presentation of how the various courts in Arizona operate and how to navigate the system
- Head Line News, Guest Legal Commentator, HLN. Head Line News, Phoenix Arizona, Atlanta Georgia
- HLN
- I was a guest legal commentator for HLN on the TV show In Session for many of the countries top criminal trails including but not limited to the Casey Anthony Trial, the Jodi Arias Trial and appeared on the TV show After Dark.
- Jodi Arias Guest Legal Commentator, HLN. Head Line News, Phoenix Arizona, Atlanta Georgia
- HLN
- I was a guest legal commentator for HLN on the TV show In Session for many of the countries top criminal trails including but not limited to the Casey Anthony Trial, the Jodi Arias Trial and appeared on the TV show After Dark.
- Certified Specialist Criminal Law
- Arizona State Bar
- Q. I just got charge with 9 counts of felony charges but i have no idea what this is from what should i do
- A: Any time you are facing felony charges you should consult a lawyer. If you have 9 charges, chances are this is a very serious situation. If the police try to question you, ask for a lawyer and do not answer any questions.
- Q. I just found out that I have a misdemeanor bench warrant in another state from 2009. Process for getting that quashed?
- A: Your best bet is to hire a lawyer in the same area as the court. Sometimes they can file a motion to get the warrant Quashed and get you some time to complete the classes. Sometimes the judge makes you appear. If there is a bond on the warrant you can pay the bond and ask to have a telephonic hearing with the judge. It is hard to do this on your own.
- Q. Can I get another attorney from same law firm if first attorney has not doing what we've asked?
- A: The lawyer works for you. If you are not happy with your lawyer you need to communicate that to them and give them a chance to make things right. If nothing changes, You can ask the managing partner of the firm to give you a new lawyer. If they will not or you are not satisfied with their answer, you can fire the firm and hire a new lawyer. They would have to refund any unearned fees.