Anna Lewis - District 16 | ACLU West Virginia

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Anna Lewis

Office Sought House of Delegates District 16

City/Town Huntington

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

I would decriminalize cannibis and work to release those currently incarcerated for cannibis-related offenses. I would also increase community engagement and education concerning prison decarceration and initiatives. I would also work to remove mandatory minimum sentencing.

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?

As it stands, I do not agree with asset forfeiture for the very reasons listed in this question, and more specifically because of the possibility for a corrupted system of procurement. I would, at the least, work to require a conviction, and divert at least a percentage of seized assets from law enforcement to preventative social programs.

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?

I would support changes that decrease use of cash bail, and support detainment on a case-by-case basis based on evidence of a flight risk.

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?

Out of home placement should be used only when the home is unsafe, and placements should be as close to the the original home/support systems of the child.

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

In addition to increased, normalized availability of mail-in ballot usage, I would love to make electronic voting through computer/phone/device usage available in WV.

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?

While I identify as a Christian, I am staunchly against religion, Christian or any other, in public schools in any capacity.

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 support a statewide law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in WV. I support it because while some communities, including my own in Huntington, are fighting such discrimination, there are those who will choose to discriminate because the law condones it. Especially on the basis of "religious freedom".

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 support acceptance of vetted refugees. I would like to see WV accept a higher number of refugees at an increased rate.

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?

I am in favor of our current state abortion law. However, I would fight against an effort to erode current law or increase the difficulty of women to obtain health care in any way.