Robin Cutlip (District 44)

Please provide some basic information about yourself.

Name Robin Cutlip

Office Sought House of Delegates District 44

City/Town Cowen

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

The prison population would decrease dramatically if we decriminalized marijuana.

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 do not support the practice of civil asset forfeiture. If the person is not found guilty, and the items are not related to the case, they should be returned at no cost to the defendant.

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?

To keep people out of the already overcrowded jails before they are even found guilty, we could be using ankle monitoring systems. The accused could still live their lives, maintaining their employment while waiting on their trial. We should not be incarcerating accused people just because they cannot afford bail money.

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 of all, we need more trauma-informed counselors in every school. We have to provide them more options before they go down the wrong path. Once a youth has committed an offense, they should have other options before being placed in an out of a home facility. If their home is a safe environment, then they should be given the use of ankle monitors, curfews, and an assigned social worker, not just their appointed probation officer.

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

Education is the key to get people involved. We have to find ways to supply people with bi-partisan information to get them excited to vote. Teaching civics to our youth is one way to instill this civic duty at an early age. Having opportunities for people to become actively engaged in their communities is the key to getting their voices heard, and the first step to getting them to vote. Getting people in their communities actively engaged needs to be a year-round effort, not just something we do at election time. When people feel empowered, they will vote.

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 do not feel like bible classes should be taught in public schools. Just one religion should not be interpreted or promoted; all faiths need to be discussed for their historical qualities. All religions are worthy of study, not only one. World Religion and Philosophy are courses that need to be introduced in high school. It is almost impossible to teach individual works of literature without providing a religious context. Our history has been shaped by religion, so therefore all religions need to be discussed for the role they played.

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 ABSOLUTELY support legislation to provide fair housing, employment, and public accommodations to everyone, no matter what their sexual orientation or gender identity is. I am an advocate and an ally for everyone; I will do whatever I can to support anyone who is discriminated against for any reason. For the life of me, I cannot understand how bigotry is still alive and seems to be accepted in today's society. We are all human and should all be treated fairly. I will never discriminate against any group of people.

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 accepting refugees into our state of West Virginia. The success of the refugee depends on the amount of support they receive. I believe they should be given housing and food assistance along with courses to help them if English is their second language. We cannot expect them to come here and jump right into the workforce if they are not provided a hand up to get them secure.

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 women's health. IF that means that a woman's health is in danger due to her pregnancy, including her mental health or the quality of life of the child, then she should be given a choice to make that decision. We need to provide mandatory counseling services before and after, no matter what decision the woman makes. There is not any woman who has an abortion for the fun of it. The decision to have an abortion is a decision that will affect them for the rest of their lives, but it is a decision that should be their choice to make.