Q1

Please provide some basic information about  yourself.

Name Darton McIntire

Office Sought WV House of Delegates, District 50

City/Town Mannington, WV

Email Address dartonmcintire@gmail.com

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?

I think by investing in Education and bringing back values into the home can we proactively prevent the rise of crime and drug addiction which leads to crime. It starts in the home, by the time the Criminal Justice system takes hold of the person it is almost too late.

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?

Unless there is a conviction it would be tough to support although if it is easily proven that the means of obtainment was a result of criminal activity then I would support a forfeiture to the state to support the police.

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?

Violent offenders such as rapists, murderers, and people whom are deemed dangerous to society should not be given relaxed bail. This should be left to the caution of the elected judges and prosecutors to agree upon. Although, nonviolent offenders should be given the opportunity of relaxed bail to help prosecutors focus more on the violent criminals they need more time with. It should be left more to the discretion of the local, elected prosecutor.

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 believe being proactive on the issue and ensuring the child is being raised in a good home would help relax some of these issues, but we can't always ensure that. For those already in the system, we have to focus on doing what is best for the child on a case by case basis. This is not a problem that can be covered with one simple step solution.

Q6

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

Automatically register seniors at their respective high schools when they turn 18. Then it is up to them to stay updated for the following years.

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 believe it should be optional. If a local school believes that teaching a faith based course would help their respective students learn then I don't have a problem with it. I don't believe making it mandatory but I don't have a problem with making it an optional course in High Schools or Middle Schools when they can choose whether or not they want to participate. Faith-based drug prevention couldn't possibly do any worse than the platforms we have in place now considering how bad the drug problem is.

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 believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of who they are and what they look like. That said, I don't think anyone should be given special privileges over anyone else nor would I support discrimination over private life choices. As long as your lifestyle does not infringe on another's and is in good moral conscience then you shouldn't be discriminated against. We are all Americans, but nobody should have special privileges for anything. I don't support the state proposing any kind of law without first reading it and making sure it doesn't impose on private citizens' lives first. This would have to be a very well written and executed law before it would have my vote.

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 believe there are states that have better capabilities at taking in refugees than WV. We have to focus on rejuvenating our economy, stabilizing the workforce, and ensuring hard-working people keep their money before we can work on helping others. I am of a family who immigrated years ago as are most, but we do not have the ability to accept mass refugees under public funding.

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 do not support abortion but I do believe in the rarest of cases that the mother's life is in jeopardy and the unborn's life is already lost that it would be all right for the mother to make that decision. This is a very rare case and not the most common type of abortion. Taxpayers, in which a large part do not agree with abortion, should not pay for abortions. A very tough decision for mothers and fathers to make and I pray that they never have to. I believe the life of the unborn is sacred and should not be considered less than a person because it is in the womb.