A longtime employee of the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, Penny Cramer, was awarded the Administrative Professional Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council’s statewide annual Administrative Professionals Conference on Friday, July 28, 2023, in Phoenix.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has had a distinguished career as an Administrative Professional in a prosecution office, making significant contributions to the protection of public safety and the administration of justice, and whose career exemplifies the highest standards of dedication and commitment to the profession.
Cramer began at Yavapai County Attorney’s Office (YCAO) in September of 2004 as a legal secretary assisting prosecutors assigned to misdemeanor cases. YCAO prosecutes nearly every type of crime in Yavapai County, from low level misdemeanors to death penalty homicide cases. Administrative Professionals allow prosecutors to handle heavy caseloads by keeping prosecution files in order, calendaring court hearings and other appointments, scheduling interviews with victims and witnesses, and performing a myriad of other important tasks. Cramer remained at the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office for eighteen years until her retirement earlier this year. While at the YCAO, Cramer quickly advanced through the ranks, serving in nearly every Administrative Professional role, until her appointment as the Executive Assistant to the County Attorney in 2005. As an Executive Assistant, Cramer was required to think on her feet, act quickly and courteously, and handle numerous administrative duties. Cramer’s duties required her to be a central point of communication with members of the public, the legal community, and the law enforcement community.
“I deeply appreciate Penny’s amazing work ethic, integrity, kindness, and dedication to the criminal justice system in Yavapai County,” said Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane. “During her many years at the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, Penny frequently took on Herculean tasks without complaint. We often received feedback from victims, officers, and members of the public that Penny went above and beyond to help a caller solve their issue or direct them to someone who could. I hope this well-deserved award will shine a light on how hard Penny, and her fellow YCAO employees, work to pursue justice for victims and accountability for offenders.”