Sept. 10, 2009

Phoenix Prosecutors Receive Statewide Awards

Two city of Phoenix prosecutors were recognized for their outstanding achievement as public servants by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (APAAC).

F. Tyler Rich was honored by APAAC with the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors an individual who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and has made significant contributions to public safety and the administration of justice. Rich has worked for the city for more than 30 years. The same group recognized Rich previously as Arizona Misdemeanor Prosecutor of the Year in 1995-1996.

Nathan Watts earned this year’s Arizona Misdemeanor Prosecutor of the Year Award. Watts handled 123 successful cases since 2007 involving defense attempts to not allow jurors to hear breath test results, unless the court ordered disclosure of the breath-testing instrument’s internal software code. This is known as “source code,” proprietary computer code that makes the instrument work. Watts prevailed in all appeals court cases. The award also recognized his prosecutorial advocacy in supporting and sharing knowledge with prosecutors statewide who faced similar motions. Watts helped 17 other prosecutor’s offices and taught for the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

For more information on APAAC, visit apaac.az.gov.

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