Jay Jack (District 62)

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Jay Jack

Office Sought WV House of Delegates

City/Town Martinsburg

From 1980 to 2016 the West Virginia state prison population has increased by 470%. What, if anything, would you change to reverse this trend?

Police presence at all grade levels through DARE and similar programming to be offered. Interaction between kids and police works in other locations, why not WV? Elimination of jail time for minor possession charges couple also help. However, providing our judiciary system with the latitude to levy stiff penalties for the most violent offenders, while enabling mercy when merited can also help these numbers change, for the better I'd hope.

Civil asset forfeiture is a process where police can seize any property "related" to criminal activity and later can file a civil case to forfeit the property to either be used or auctioned for money which is shared between the police department and local prosecutor. This can happen regardless of whether there is a criminal conviction or even criminal charges brought against a person.Proponents say this is a useful tool for taking ill-gotten gains from criminals and funding police work, and that legal protections adequately prevent abuse of the system.Critics say the system amounts to theft, that many people cannot afford the legal costs to challenge a forfeiture action, and that it creates a perverse incentive for police.Do you support or oppose the practice of civil asset forfeiture? What, if any, reforms would you make to the practice?

Funds should be split between legal entities and victims support groups, not prosecutors. It should not cost persons forfeiting property in situations where no crimes are committed to get it back. RICO Act violations should be exempt from return to said parties under any situation.

More than half the population of West Virginia's regional jails are pre-trial. That means they haven't been found guilty of any crime yet. Most are there because they could not afford bail, though some are there because they were denied a chance to post bail. What changes, if any would you make to our pretrial and/or bail system to balance concerns about safety and court efficiency with ensuring we are not incarcerating people without due process?

#1 bail must be set within 4 hours of incarceration, for non-violent offenses or the arrest is null and void. #2 bail should bee v within reasonable expectations of an individual's ability to pay it. #3 Each person arrested should be provided individually and in writing a list of recognized bail bonds companies. Accessiblilty to funds within an incarceration facility via ATM. Bond loans should be made available at a reasonable interest rate to established/ recognized nonviolent offenders.

In 2015 West Virginia passed significant reforms to the juvenile justice system. Despite these reforms, the State still utilizes out of home placement at a high rate for system-involved youth. What, if anything, should West Virginia do to reduce out-of-home placements for system-involved juveniles?

If the youth is the offender and not merely caught up in a custodial issue, then Ibwould recommend ankle-bracelet style in-home placement options.

West Virginia has a very low voter participation rate. What changes, if any, would you make to increase voter participation?

Voter apathy had been a serious problem, as there had been no divisive issue polarizing the nation as a whole. Partisan politics, specifically over the last month has put our nation at odds with itself. Previously only external forces causing national crisis and patriotism have this affect on the American voting population. Additionally widening hours for voting and advertising of polling locations farther in advance. Voting education should be taught to students in high school.

Over the past few years, there has been legislation aimed at requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools, allowing a Bible-based elective, or faith-based drug prevention electives. What is your stance on incorporating religion into the public schools?

Freedom of region, regardless of what religion religions of the world would be acceptable along with in what areas thread are practiced should be made available as a course. Not just one form should be taught, nor should it be excluded in the case of evolution. Also the choice of the family should be honored .

At least 20 states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. 13 West Virginia municipalities have similar protections. Do you support or oppose a statewide law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in West Virginia? Why?

I am against discrimination upon this basis.

In December 2019, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia would continue accepting refugees. Do you support or oppose accepting refugees in West Virginia? Under what conditions? Why?

I fully support the legal immigration of citizens to the US and West Virginia. Until both the homeless, children and veterans are housed, provided sustenance and medical care and are clothed, I would not support any funds to be utilized for refugees.

Q10

Over the past few years, some states have continued to erode protections and access to abortion care. Other states have done the opposite and codified abortion rights that had previously been defined by courts. Do you favor further restrictions to abortion, expanding or codifying abortion rights, or taking no action on abortion?

Roe v Wade is the law of the land. Saying that a child is not a choice, but a gift. My answer here is not short nor easy. Babies aren't something which a mother should use to make more money from states., ie the octomom. Access to Planned Parenthood should be made universally available, government funding not being an option, as only preventative measures should be available, with no terminal services after 20 Weeks available without mortal threat to the mother.