About Dwane

Dwane M. Cates is the founder of the firm. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelors Degree in Communication, studying primarily in the area of persuasion. He attended Arizona State University College of Law distinguishing himself in oral argument competitions and participating on the Trial Advocacy Team.

In the area of criminal law, Mr. Cates has experience handling a variety of cases from major felonies in Federal Court to misdemeanors in municipal court. No matter what the case, Mr. Cates, has the experience to handle your case effectively and at a reasonable rate.

Mr. Cates founded the firm in 1997 and has owned and managed the firm to the present. He has experience at all levels of criminal law from first degree murder cases in Federal Court to misdemeanor DUI cases in municipal court. He has handled several high profile cases including the “baby formula” case in federal court and the matricide murder case. Mr. Cates has experience handling a variety of cases from major felonies in Federal Court to misdemeanors in municipal court. No matter what the case, Dwane Cates, has the experience to handle your case effectively and at a reasonable rate.

Dwane Cates is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, Criminal Law Section; the Maricopa County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section; the American Association for Justice, Criminal Law Section; and attended the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy.

Dwane M. Cates has a wealth of life experiences ranging from the oil fields of Wyoming to various sales positions here in the valley. This wide variety of life experience is extremely valuable in the representation of the diverse clientele found here Phoenix and the state of Arizona.

 

  • Do you need an experienced Arizona criminal attorney now?
  • Have you or someone you love been arrested anywhere in Arizona and need an criminal lawyer?
  • Were you stopped at the I-8 immigration checkpoint and charged with a drug crime? Are you required to appear in Wellton justice court or Yuma superior court for these drug crimes?
  • Were you stopped on I-40 given an warning ticket, then asked if they could search your car, then arrested on a drug charge or for a drug crime?
  • Are you under investigation and have questions about what to do next regarding your case and need the advise of an experienced criminal lawyer?
  • Have you been charged with mortgage fraud, wire fraud or mail fraud in federal court and need a defense attorney?
  • Do you need help getting someone out of jail, including the matrix in fourth avenue jail in Phoenix?
  • Have you been charged or indicted in federal court for any federal crime?If you answered yes to any of these questions you need help now from an experienced Arizona criminal attorney. If someone you love has been arrested do not wait to get legal help. You need to get someone to help protect their rights as soon as possible. Their first court appearance is very important. The judge will decide release conditions and if not released right away it may take weeks to get get their bond reduced or their release conditions changed.

CALL NOW (480) 620-8568

RESULTS FOR OUR PHOENIX CRIMINAL LAWYERS:

  • Client charged with DUI/Drugs for prescription pain medication on I-40 near Williams, Arizona. After intense discovery and discussions with the prosecutor, all charges dismissed. (Williams Justice Court, Coconino County, Arizona).
  • Client traveling in a vehicle at over 100 miles per hour and rear-ended another car on highway causing a horrendous collision in which the other driver had to be air evacuated with severe head injuries. Client charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault which carried up to a 15 year prison sentence. With our attorneys, client pled to one count of Endangerment, an undesignated offense, and was sentenced to probation with no jail and would be designated as a misdemeanor upon successful completion of client’s probation term. (Mohave County Superior Court, Mohave County, Arizona).
  • Client charged with DUI and DUI/Drugs after being filmed by another driver on the U.S. 60 weaving and crashing into the median barrier. With the effort of our attorneys, client plead simply to reckless driving and the DUI’s dismissed. (East Mesa Justice Court, Maricopa County, Arizona).
  • Client and passenger traveling on I-40 near Sanders, Arizona and found in possession of 176 pounds of marijuana. Client charged with six significant drug felonies carrying a possible prison term of up to 20 years. After discovery and motions by our attorneys, client was offered a plea to a single felony drug charge and was sentenced to only probation, a $1,400 fine, and no jail time.
  • Client charged with Super Extreme DUI (over 0.2 blood alcohol level) after crashing vehicle. Pled down after our attorneys were retained to a first offense regular DUI with minimum penalties. (San Tan Justice Court, Maricopa County).
  • Client, while on a family vacation at Lake Havasu, arrested while operating a jet-ski on the lake and charged with an OUI. Our attorneys were able to secure a plea from the State toa misdemeanor Negligent Boating charge with a fine and boating safety class. (Lake Havasu Consolidated Courts, Mohave County).
  • Client and passenger were traveling on I-40 near Sanders, when stopped and found with almost 20 pounds of marijuana. Both client and passenger charged with Transportation of Marijuana for Sale, Possession of Marijuana for Sale, and other significant felony drug charges punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Upon our Motion to Suppress based on illegality of the stop and subsequent detention of client and a successful hearing on said motion, all charges were dismissed.
  • Client was charged with three counts of sexual abuse, one count of indecent exposure and one count of child molestation, all designated as dangerous crimes against children. He was facing 35 years in prison, life time probation and sex offender registration. After getting affidavits from the witnesses not interviewed by police and meeting with the prosecutor we were able to get the charges reduced to one count of child abuse, with 15 years probation, no sex offender registration.
  • Client was charged with three counts of sexual conduct with a minor. (Statutory Rape) he was facing one year in prison, life time probation and sex offender registration. After hiring an expert witness to examine our client we were able to get the charges reduced to Child Abuse, probation, with no sex offender registration. Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix.
  • Client was charged with violating his sex offender registration terms. After extensive discovery we were able to convince the prosecutor to dismiss all charges. Yuma County Superior Court, Yuma.
  • Client was charged stopped on I-40 near Holbrook. His car was searched and they found marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was charged with felony drug charges and taken to jail. We were able to get him release OR (own recognizance) and permission for him to return to his home state. We were eventually able to get the charges reduced to a misdemeanor and he was able to enter his plea over the phone without returning to Arizona for Court. He was given unsupervised probation and a fine. Holbrook Justice Court, Holbrook, AZ
  • Client was stopped at the immigration checkpoint near Yuma, Arizona when a drug dog alerted to his vehicle. He was charged with possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He had prior convictions for drug offenses. He was facing 2-4 years in prison. We were able to get a plea offer of probation. The prosecutor and the probation office wanted to impose jail time as a term of probation. We were able to get the Court to give just probation no jail time, with permission to return to his home state. Yuma County Superior Court, Yuma, AZ.
  • Client was charged with auto theft and other felony charges. The judge rejected the plea the public defender tried to get through the court. We took over the case and was able to get the plea through the court. He had prior felony convictions and was facing 2-4 years in prison. The plea was for probation no jail. Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix.
  • Client was arrested for felony possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was faced with having a drug conviction on his record and losing his federal financial aid for school. We were able to get him into a diversion program where upon complexion the charges will be dismissed with prejudice. Maricopa County Superior Court, Mesa, AZ.
  • Client was one of four co-defendants in a home invasion, armed robbery case. He was charged with six major felonies including armed robbery, designated dangerous. He was facing up to 20 years in prison. We were able to get him 4 years prison, which is less than any of the other co-defendants. Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix Arizona.
  • Client was charged with arson of an occupied structure a class 2 felony with two prior felony convictions. He was facing 28 years in prison as the charges were designated as dangerous. We were able to work out a plea whereby he could serve 3.5 years in prison and probation. Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix.
  • Client was charged with domestic violence assault and disorderly conduct. He was facing fines, jail and loss of his gun rights. We were able to set the case for trial and the prosecutor dismissed the case. Glendale City Court, Glendale AZ.
  • Click here to see more Results from Dwane Cates Law Group.

Areas of Practice:

Criminal Law
DUI/DWI
White Collar Crimes
Felonies
Drug Crimes
Sex Crimes
Federal Court
Misdemeanors
Municipal Court

Bar Admissions:

Arizona, 1997

Education:

Arizona State University, College of Law, Tempe, Arizona
J.D.
Honors: Oral Argument Competitions, Trial Advocacy Team

Arizona State University
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Major: Communication / Persuasion

Professional Associations and Memberships:

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member

American Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
Member

Maricopa County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
Member

American Association for Justice, Criminal Law Section
Member

Arizona College of Trial Advocacy