available 24/7
Free Consultation
Cara Dames is a dedicated criminal defense attorney with extensive experience representing clients at all stages of the criminal justice process. She focuses her practice on defending individuals being investigated or charged with felony offenses in Superior Courts throughout the State of Arizona, guiding clients from initial appearance through trial or sentencing.
Ms. Dames is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. Her work has been recognized with multiple Avvo Clients’ Choice Awards based on client reviews, and she has been selected as one of Phoenix Magazine’s Top Lawyers.
Ms. Dames represents clients across the full range of felony matters in Arizona Superior Courts, from investigation through trial. She prepares every case with thorough investigation, strategic analysis, and an unwavering focus on the client’s goals, recognizing that a criminal charge affects far more than just the courtroom outcome.
In addition to her trial-level criminal defense work, Ms. Dames has significant experience assisting clients with post-sentencing relief, including sentence modifications, early probation terminations, set asides, record sealings, and engagements. This breadth of experience allows her to help clients not only resolve their immediate charges but also move forward with a clean slate when possible.
Before joining AZ Defenders, Ms. Dames spent several years in private criminal defense practice throughout the State of Arizona. She began her legal career with the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office, where she represented clients in felony matters from initial appearance through sentencing in the Early Disposition Court and Regional Court Center at Maricopa County Superior Court.
Ms. Dames first joined the Public Defender’s Office as an extern, then returned as a certified practice student and post-bar law clerk before coming on as an attorney. This progression gave her a comprehensive, ground-up foundation in criminal defense practice. Earlier in her career, she also held positions with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the District of Arizona (capital habeas unit), the Maricopa County Superior Court, and the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau at Harvard Law School, where she directly represented indigent clients in family law matters before the Boston Family Courts.
Ms. Dames earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where she graduated in the top third of her class and was a member of the Trial Advocacy Program. Her academic excellence was recognized through numerous honors, including CALI Awards for the highest grades in Legal Advocacy and the Public Defender Clinic, the Paul Holloway Trial Advocacy Graduation Award, the State Bar Criminal Justice Section Future Practitioner Award, the Maricopa County Bar Foundation Justice Michael D. Ryan Diversity Award, and multiple merit-based scholarships.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with Departmental Honors and a concentration in Crime, Justice, Law & Society, from the University of San Diego. She also completed study abroad programs at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
Throughout law school, Ms. Dames was deeply involved in public service and leadership. She served as Director of the Victory Place Shelter Legal Assistance Project, providing legal assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness, and as Vice Chair of Internal Affairs for the Asian Pacific American Law Students’ Association. She also contributed to the Project to Stop Sex Trafficking, the Law Society for Human Rights, and the Women’s Law Student Association, and volunteered with Guam’s Public Defender Corporation. Upon graduation, she received the Highest Pro bono Distinction for completing over 580 hours of pro bono service.
Ms. Dames is a proud first-generation college graduate who was born and raised on the island of Guam. When she isn’t working to keep her clients out of jail, she can usually be found rescuing dogs from kennels. She currently has three dogs and counting.
Facing a criminal charge or investigation can be one of the most stressful experiences of a person’s life. Ms. Dames brings compassion, preparation, and a tireless work ethic to every client she represents, whether the matter is a first-time felony charge or a complex post-sentencing relief matter.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, don’t wait. Contact Cara Dames and the AZ Defenders today for a confidential consultation by calling (480) 456-6400 or by submitting a contact form online.
