This award is designed to recognize the extraordinary achievement of an Arizona Juvenile Prosecutor in a large and small jurisdiction office. This award could be given to a Juvenile Prosecutor (or a two-prosecutor team that were co-counsel) for one specific case, or for a series of outstanding prosecutorial accomplishments in the past year which demonstrate the Prosecutor’s exceptional advocacy.
2025
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
Jason Johannes, Bureau Chief in Juvenile within the Pinal County Attorney’s office strives to improve the juvenile justice system and represent the office in all the Specialty Courts. Jason handles significant juvenile cases with dedication and compassion. One example is the case where 17-year-old Hailey Stevens was shot in the head at a house party in Casa Grande. The suspects were a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old. Despite there being 90,000 pages of discovery and over 1.5 million digital files, Jason was able to get the case to trial in only ten months where he skillfully worked with multiple expert witnesses. The younger juvenile defendant was found responsible after trial for second degree murder and sentenced to the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. The 17-yearold entered a plea and was sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Jason showed compassion for the next of kin and victims on a daily basis. The family of Hailey and countless other victims knew they had an advocate who fought for them. Jason truly is an amazing asset to both the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and the parties he encounters.
2024
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
The Navajo County Attorney’s Office is leanly staffed, like many rural counties, and employs only one primary juvenile prosecutor, Martin Roes, who joined the office in 2020. In 2023, the juvenile desk saw a major uptick of cases – an increase of 100 cases over 2022. Despite a year distinguished by a particularly arduous caseload, Martin demonstrated laser focus on individual cases, along with a remarkable aptitude for taking a balanced and nuanced approach to cases that considers the best interests of the juvenile, the goal of rehabilitation, and the need for public safety. In his few years on the juvenile desk, and particularly in the exponentially busy 2023, Martin has displayed commendable understanding of and respect for the long-standing consequences of juvenile prosecution on the community, victims, and juvenile defendants. He stands as a strong example for the juvenile justice community.
2023
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
As the Navajo County juvenile prosecutor, Devon Hall deftly handled a highly-charged assault case involving four teenagers, a no-holds-barred defense strategy and a community in uproar. Devon persevered in the face of intense public pressure and despite an aggressive defense. When the victim and his family initially expressed desire for the harshest possible penalties, Devon used his astute communication skills and legal knowledge to effectively and compassionately convey the special considerations of juvenile prosecution. Together, Devon, the victim, and the family arrived at a more tempered prosecutorial strategy, agreeing the defendants should suffer serious consequences for their conduct, but not so severe as to ruin their lives. Devon demonstrates juvenile prosecutorial expertise, courage under fire, and commitment to securing justice for victims.
2022
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
Stephen Lundell has not only been the sole juvenile crimes prosecutor in the Graham County Attorney’s Office and has handled nearly every weekend call out since 2014, but in 2021 developed, instituted, and found success with Graham County’s New Truancy Court Program. Mr. Lundell developed this program while maintaining a case load which in the last year included an attempted murder case and numerous gun and weapon involved offenses. Not only has Mr. Lundell found great success in the courtroom, but he has done so despite our juvenile detention center closing and the juvenile courts only detaining a small percentage of juveniles who should have been in custody.
2021
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
Danalyn Savage is very dedicated to her juvenile caseload and strives to reach good resolutions for all concerned. This past year, she handled a high-profile juvenile case that began as a 2019 senior high school prank. Four senior boys thought it would be amusing to pour several gallons of vegetable oil on the floor of the gym at Chino Valley High School. Unfortunately, the damage to the floor was so extensive it had to be replaced. All four boys admitted their guilt but contested the amount of restitution. After lengthy litigation, the Court ordered restitution. The boys appealed this order which has been upheld by our appellate courts. Ms. Savage handled the entire case through the appellate process.
2020
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
Griselda Cordova’s dedication to justice and her surrounding community is reflected in her untiring work both in and out of the office. In addition to a full caseload and acting as a strong advocate for victims’ rights, she works tirelessly with all stakeholders involved in the Juvenile Justice Center and participates in a variety of outreach programs, including Community Justice Boards, a diversion program for juvenile offenders, Juvenile Drug Court, and numerous community programs to educate the community regarding a recent fentanyl crisis involving juveniles and issues surrounding truancy.
2019
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
With dedication and professionalism, Deborah Herbert has been carrying the entire juvenile workload in Mohave County by herself. In the past, this work was done by 2-3 total juvenile prosecutors but only Ms. Herbert remains to handle approximately 600 juvenile cases per year. Ms. Herbert transitioned from the Chief Civil Deputy to a juvenile prosecutor some years ago and found her passion in working with the children in the Juvenile system of Mohave County with a goal of justice, victims’ rights, and juvenile rehabilitation.
2018
Juvenile Prosecutor of the Year
Audrey Navarro has distinguished herself as a prosecutor who has truly demonstrated her dedication to the cause of justice over the course of the year. She understands the unique and critical role that the prosecutor plays within the juvenile justice system and it shows in her work. She routinely secures just outcomes for the victim and the public at large while balancing the needs of the juvenile offenders. Over the course of the past year, she has successfully prosecuted numerous juvenile sex offenders. She has also obtained favorable results in several complex contested competency hearings.