Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Rakestraw, P.L.C.

Our Phoenix law firm — Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Rakestraw — is a full service law firm that combines the work of a team of trial lawyers to help you get the results you need and deserve. While we handle a wide range of matters including family law, personal injury and wrongful death, much of our focus is on representing people facing criminal charges in both state and federal courts.

Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Rakestraw offers top-quality criminal defense at reasonable rates. We offer free initial consultations and make sure that you'll always understand our fees, so you know exactly what to expect.

At Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Rakestraw, we are truly experienced professionals. Even our least experienced attorney has been practicing for more than ten years. Our ranks include a retired judge who was on the bench for more than 19 years, a certified specialist in personal injury and wrongful death and an experienced family law practitioner who has been focusing on family law for more than 20 years. It is this experience that gives us an edge in the courtroom.

Dwane M. Cates Bio

Mr. 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 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, Mr. Cates, has the experience to handle your case effectively and at a reasonable rate.
Mr. 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.

Mr. 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 in the valley.

Give him a call he would love the opportunity to earn your business.

Areas of Practice:

Child Support

Criminal Law

Custody & Visitation

DUI/DWI

Divorce

Family Law

Medical Malpractice

Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff

Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

White Collar Crimes

Felonies

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

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

Lawyers

Dwane M. Cates

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Location : Phoenix, AZ

Practice Areas: