Justin Hough (District 52)

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Justin Hough

Office Sought House of Delegates 52nd District

City/Town Kingwood

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

Decriminalization of marijuana; more rehabilitation facilities for other habitual drug-users, rather than incarceration; more funding for restorative justice practices; more discretion for judges to look at the 'whole person' rather than just the crime when sentencing

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. We are in a country where you're supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, thus any policy that would come from a guilty conviction such as a seizure, should not occur until that conviction comes, and/or if a warrant is given to be used as evidence, once evidence is collected, the property needs to revert back to the original owner until the verdict comes down. With our legal system being backed up, people can't be expected to go without simply because of a flawed system.

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?

If not already in place, there needs to be legislation passed that basically sets bail at a set amount based on crime and circumstance, as well as if bail can't be met, and the courts are so backed up that someone who has been charged, must be released after a specific period of time has passed. I believe it would be difficult to regulate this, but if we can get a practice in place that both the ACLU and the state can come to terms with, then I believe we can come to a compromise that promotes safety and welfare, doesn't violate civil liberties, and also won't cost the government money in lawsuits after someone was wrongfully incarcerated without being afforded due process. I'm open to all suggestions and always willing to sit down with the ACLU and draft legislation accordingly.

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?

First and foremost, fund proper mental health care at the state level and ensure that we have enough social workers in the state and guidance counselors at the school level. We also need services to educate our parents. We have many parents who lack resources and know-how to deal with specific situations, so much like our prison system, we need an effective form of restorative practices with our families.

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

Term limits on our delegates and state senators

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?

It would have to be strictly on a voluntary basis and outside the scope of required academic time, i.e. during lunchtime as volunteered, or club time. There must remain a separation of church and state and not allow adults to attempt to indoctrinate our youth.

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 100% support this law. Much like any other race, religion, gender, etc. the LGBTQ community is a protected class of people and should be afforded the same rights, without discrimination, be it from public or private entities, and if a private entity would choose so, then it would be my piece of legislation added that would put barriers on those businesses being granted proper licensing.

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?

Even as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (to which the DOD does not endorse me as a candidate and I'm solely speaking on my own personal accord), I believe that no matter here legally or illegally, once in this country, you are to be afforded the same civil liberties as any other human being, pending only if there is substantial evidence that you could pose a threat to others. This country was founded on give us 'your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.' As every American wants to constantly misquote the Constitution, they need to first remember the blood shed to protect that both then and now, and that those liberties were for all people, not just those we call 'Americans.'

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 believe as male in this country that it's not my place to determine what a woman does to her body. Personally and spiritually, I don't believe in the act, however I know that there are circumstances in which that choice should not be up for debate. I know this may sound like a 'wishy-washy' answer, but no matter my party-affiliation, whatever the majority of our females in this country and state want, that's who's side I am on.