Sedona, AZ — Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane announced on August 4, 2025, that some members of his office have recently received prestigious office and statewide awards. County Attorney McGrane stated, “I would like to congratulate all of this year’s recipients on their well-deserved awards. The accomplishments of this Office are firmly founded in my staff’s hard work, dedication, professionalism and love for Yavapai County. These awards help to shine some well-deserved light on the invaluable and important work that the hard-working employees of the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office do every day.”
Marie Higgins was awarded the statewide Victim Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council’s Annual Vitim Advocate Conference on Friday, May 2, 2025. Marie Higgins joined the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office (“YCAO”) in 2005 and has been an essential part of the successes of the Office’s Victim Services Division. Marie has consistently provided exceptional service to the victims of Yavapai County.
During the past 19 years, Marie has served in many important roles in the office, starting as a volunteer and most recently serving as a Felony Notification Advocate. Marie is passionate about her role as a victim advocate and makes every effort to ensure the rights of victims are preserved and protected. Marie is exceptionally thorough in her work and consistently strives for efficiency and accuracy. She produces top quality work while frequently taking on additional duties and responsibilities. She is greatly respected and valued by her colleagues.
Christina Wesnitzer received YCAO’s 2025 Victim Advocate of the Year Award. Ms. Wesnitzer joined YCAO as a Victim Advocate in April 2019 and has consistently provided exceptional service to the victims in Yavapai County.
In April 2023, Christina was promoted to Victim Services Supervisor, a role in which she continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership. Not only does she expertly manage her demanding felony caseload, but she also addresses the daily challenges faced by the Victim Services Division team with remarkable skill and composure. Christina consistently takes on the most challenging cases with dedication and care. Her professional demeanor, combined with her compassionate listening skills, enables her to connect with victims, guiding them through the sadness, anger, and frustration that often accompany their journey through the criminal justice process. Christina is committed to serving victims, ensuring they feel supported and that their voices are heard.
Peggy Wager was awarded the statewide Legal Assistant Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council’s statewide Annual Legal Assistant Conference on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Peggy Wagner recently retired from YCAO following an extraordinary 45-year career in the legal field. Peggy joined YCAO in 1987, where she excelled for 38 impactful years, holding roles such as Legal Secretary, Lead Legal Secretary, and Litigation Specialist. For the past 11 years, she served in the Early Disposition Court (“EDC”) where her organizational expertise and professionalism transformed court operations, and ensured the process ran with integrity, efficiency, and fairness.
Peggy’s exceptional contributions and high standards have inspired countless legal professionals. As she moves on to new adventures in her remarkable journey, her legacy remains a benchmark for excellence.
Deputy County Attorney Steven Sisneros was awarded the Statewide Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council’s Annual Prosecutor’s Conference on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
Steven Sisneros has worked at YCAO for over 20 years. Steven started as a misdemeanor prosecutor and quickly promoted to prosecuting felony cases. In addition to previously winning the statewide Misdemeanor Prosecutor of the Year Award, Steven twice received YCAO’s Felony Prosecutor of the Year award and was nominated for MADD’S Excellence in Adjudication award.
Steven always volunteers where needed and enjoys an excellent reputation with the various law enforcement agencies throughout Yavapai County. Steven became the Charging Bureau Supervisor in 2017, where nearly two thirds of all felony cases in Yavapai County are resolved, allowing felony trial teams to devote their time to the remaining cases. As the supervisor of a high-volume unit within the County Attorney’s Office, Steven ensures justice is done in every case, and making sure victims’ voices are heard, defendants’ rights are scrupulously complied with, and just resolutions are achieved protect the community and punish criminals.
