Joe Jeffries - District 22 | ACLU West Virginia

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Joe Jeffries

Office Sought House of Delegates, District 22

City/Town Culloden

Email Address joejeffrieswv@outlook.com

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

Allow alternative sentencing such as home confinement and probation. Allow for some decriminalization of marijuana so those who are caught with a little pot aren’t thrown in jail.

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 civil asset forfeiture unless the assets were used in the commission of the crime and the accused(property owner) is convicted.

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?

Allowing for those who are awaiting a trial and not a risk to run or refuse to show up for their hearing the opportunity for a PR bond.

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?

Not familiar with the situation. Would need more information.

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

We can’t make people show up. Education to the voter is the only steps I believe government can take to help increase voter turnout.

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 have seen no requirements for the Bible to be taught in schools. I have no issue at all with religion being allowed in the schools. Our constitution grants us the right to religion. Schools have violated the constitution by trying to remove any religion from the schools.

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?

Oppose. Gender identity is not real. You can’t identify as anything you choose. No one is being discriminated against from housing or employment for being gay. People should just live their lives and stop trying to get special privileges not afforded to others.

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 unless they are fully vetted and pay their own way without living off government assistance. We should be taking care of our own.

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 oppose abortions and believe all elective abortions should be banned.