Derrick Evans - District 19 | ACLU West Virginia

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Derrick Evans

Office Sought House of Delegates

City/Town Prichard

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

Harsher punishments and community service. Obviously being incarcerated doesn't suck very bad or people would work harder to stay out of there.

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?

Only way that should happen is if there has been a criminal conviction. No way should they be allowed to take someones property and auction it off without due process.

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 don't know enough about this to make an educated answer. I will say that bail should be reasonable in relation to the charges.

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 once again am not educated on this topic well enough to provide an educated answer.

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

Honestly, we need to restore hope and pride back in our communities. You do this by bringing in good paying jobs that people can support a family and be proud of.

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 don't think it should be required. I support Bible-based electives and faith-based drug prevention electives 100%.

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 oppose this 100% and I am not willing to budge on this issue. This is an attack on Christian Values, and it's ridiculous to even have this conversation. There are only two genders, and Christian business owners should not be forced to do things that go against their religion just to appease liberal extremists. It is downright disgusting that you think a biological male should be able to use the bathroom with my little girls, just because he is pretending to be a woman. It is despicable that you think a biological male should be allowed to participate in school sports against actual girls. It is absolutely pathetic you think a biological male should be allowed to dress up as a woman and target little kids.

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 am opposed to accepting refugees for ANY reason. We have our own people and our own problems to worry about. It's past time to put West Virginia first, and it's past time to put West Virginian's first. You guys are a joke for even pushing this garbage.

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?

Life begins at conception. I'm 100% Pro Life. You lose all credibility claiming you are here to protect human rights and then support the murder of innocent babies. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I will make it my mission to be the biggest thorn in the side of that abortion clinic. There will be multiple bills proposed for the sole purpose of eliminating abortion in the state of West Virginia, and I will publicly call out every elected official who doesn't have enough backbone to stand with me on this issue.