Q1

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Charles R. "Chad" Shaffer

Office Sought State Senate 5th District

City/Town Kenova

Email Address Chad4Senate@zoominternet.net

Q2

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

With mild or some first time offenders, because the majority are drug related, broaden the Jobs and Hope Act with more vocational opportunities for future employment. An expungement of the record for most first time offenders if the offender graduates from the drug program and vocational program. I do not understand waiting 5 years for this to happen.

Q3

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?

I would oppose this practice if there is not a conviction or if the person involved has not signed a forfeiture of said property.

Q4

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?

A lot of those in pre-trial are repeat offender's and they know how to work the system and the public defender's office. The court procedure needs to be expedited but that will take a lot of input from the jails, the attorney's and the court system. This is a very hard and serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Q5

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?

I will never forget the assistant prosecutor, in a county, in the mid 1990's state youth offender's used to be charged with a minor misdemeanor but are now charged with felonies. There needs to be better education in the home and school system to try and avoid violations. But in felonies, the only answer I see at this time is out of home placement.

Q6

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

Education within the public school system, in a very non partisan approach about the responsibility of voting.

Q7

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?

I am for it 100%, yet I have a concern that it may allow all kinds of religions demanding the same opportunity. I have a faith based drug ministry and I know the need, verses what social agencies present. The problem with the Bible elective is what if the teacher, who is teaching, does not believe the Bible. Where would that lead in a classroom activity and grade.

Q8

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 would oppose it. People who have criminal records are not allowed housing and a company should have the right to hire who they want. However, with the recent Supreme Court Ruling, I would say this question has been answered by the Court.

Q9

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 would leave that up to the voters and maybe the voters in a locality, where the refugees would be placed. I really struggle with accepting 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?

I look at abortion as biblically wrong. It is said that there is a verse in Scripture that allows abortion if the mother's life will expire, but I cannot find it in the Bible. How sad to terminate an innocent life. I would mandate, if abortion is kept within the state, that a woman has to watch the movie, Unplanned, before she would continue with having an abortion. So many couples would love to have a child, who are unable to have one by birth.