Homicide Attorney in Phoenix

Defending Against Homicide Charges in Kingman, Yuma, Prescott, Florence, & Holbrook

Cates & Reed, PLLC boasts extensive experience in all homicide and murder cases, which are some of the most serious and complex matters within the criminal justice system. Throughout his distinguished career, Dwane Cates has handled these critical cases across every county in the state of Arizona, gaining invaluable insights and skills along the way.

Recently, he successfully completed a full jury trial in a First degree murder case in St. Johns, Arizona, showcasing his dedication to justice. Additionally, he made significant strides by resolving a challenging 30-year-old cold case in Prescott, achieving remarkable results that have had a lasting impact on those affected 
Dwane Cates also possesses experience with a first-degree murder case in Federal District Court, District of Arizona. He has successfully navigated numerous First degree murder cases in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable advocate in this field.

If you, or someone you care about, find yourselves facing homicide charges anywhere in Arizona, it is crucial to have an attorney who possesses real, hands-on experience in dealing with these life-altering cases. 

Request your consultation by calling us at (480) 864-3807 or using our online form today.

First Degree Murder A.R.S. 13-1105

First degree murder requires that the government prove premeditation. Premeditation requires that the person thinks about what they are going to do, plans their actions, and carries out their plan. To convict someone of this crime requires proving that the person decided to kill the victim and then killed the victim. This can happen very quickly.

First degree murder carries some of the harshest penalties under the law. If convicted, a person could face the death penalty or life in prison. With the stakes this high, you need to do everything possible to hire an experienced, effective, and persuasive homicide lawyer. You have to know that the prosecutors in these cases have trial experience; therefore, you need a trial lawyer that the prosecution knows is going to put up a fight in order to win at trial or get a reasonable plea agreement. 

Second Degree Murder. A.R.S. 13-1104

A person can be convicted of second degree murder if they intentionally cause the death of another person, but without premeditation. They can also be charged with second degree murder if they kill someone in a manner manifesting extreme indifference to human life. Second degree murder is usually charged when the killing was done in a sudden quarrel or heat of passion, but was not planned. 

If you are convicted of Second degree murder charges, you could face 10-26 years, with the presumptive sentence being 16 years. This assumes the person has no prior felony convictions. The prison sentence is what is called day-for-day time. That means that you will do every day of the sentence with no early release for good behavior. 

Negligent Homicide A.R.S. 13-1102

Negligent homicide is charged when someone causes the death of another through criminal negligence. Criminal negligence is charged when a person recognized and understood the risks involved but didn’t appreciate these risks, and it resulted in a death. One example is someone mishandling a weapon when intoxicated, and it goes off accidentally.

Negligent homicide is a serious offense. The penalty depends on whether the case is charged as a dangerous offense. A dangerous offense is charged when the crime involves a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. (Things like guns, knives, cars, etc.) If you are convicted of this charge and it is designated as a dangerous offense, you face between four and eight years. If the case is not charged as a dangerous offense, you could be eligible for probation. If sent to prison, you could face one to four years.

If you or someone you love has been arrested for a homicide crime in Phoenix, it’s important you seek the legal guidance of an experienced attorney ASAP. Call (480) 864-3807.