James Isaac Kennedy

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name James Isaac Kennedy

Office Sought House of Delegates District 13

City/Town Ravenswood

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

By legalizing a certain class 1 substance, in order to remove convicts that committed such crimes dealing with marijuana. Not in the form of trafficking though. We also need to re-evaluate the repeal process for certain court cases, that then would allow for further due process to alleviate any crimes that the defendant may be non guilty of. That is a start...

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 oppose the practice of civil asset forfeiture.

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?

By electing fair judges that follow the guidelines in place and not bigots with certain court cases due to personal emotion involved. Speculation can be made all day long, though it takes a system with integrity to see fair process take place.

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?

Allow for more home confinement and allow the individual to continue school through state funded teachers that travel from home to home, as long as the conditions are safe, to then ensure that a child is not subject to such environment of a juvenile center, while allowing them to focus on what matters, as well as continuing to receive a proper education and if guidelines for education are not met by the guidelines in place, then the child is subject to a detention center.

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

To show kids that there is a future in West Virginia, as long as the right people are elected and are able to bridge the gap between the parties, to then allow for a team to turn this state around where it needs to be and should already be.

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?

The bible may be taught as an elective, though not a forced class. It should focus on non-denominational practices and teach basic fundamentals that are put in place by an elected board. Though at the same time, church and state are supposed to be separate and remain separate.

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 is entitled to who they want to be and no one has the right to say other wise.

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?

Oppose Refugees 100%

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 Pro-Life. I believe there can be guidelines that are created. One can be a program for people who cannot conceive to adopt the child upon birth. Another being, if rape is reported within 72 hours, and is proved by a rape kit, then an abortion can take place. If no guidelines, Pro-Life.