Larry Rowe - District 36 | ACLU West Virginia

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Larry L. Rowe

Office Sought House Dist 36

City/Town Malden WV 25306

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

1) reduce minimum sentences to one year

2) allow judges to sentence below minimum upon hearing and finding that a lower sentence is due

3) give more time off for good behavior than one day, and

4) use more community and youth facilities away from prison

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?

Civil seizure is bad practice that must be regulated with proper judicial process, speedily applied. Police should not directly benefit from the seizures.

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?

Require no bail for nonviolent offenses. A bill on this passed the House.

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?

Juveniles are sent out of state because we don't have in-state facilities for them. Building facilities will mean they will fill up. More prevention services and fewer crisis response services are needed.

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

Same day and DMV voter registration.

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 Constitution requires seperation of church and state. Parents, not schools, should educate their children on matters of religion, period.

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 strongly support the anti-discrimination bills we couldn't get out of committee under this leadership regime.

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 support refugee placements in WV where they have been a great success. My children graduated high school with talented, hardworking and highly ethical refugees. We are a nation of immigrants. Security reviews are appropriate.

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?

The Constitution protects the privacy of women until a baby becomes viable in the womb. We must honor that privacy as required by the Constitution. Reasonable restrictions at the point of viability are constitutional.