Contact: Donmaynardproductions@comcast.net
Website:
| Name: | Don Maynard |
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| Party: | Democrat |
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| Home City: | Huntington |
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| Home County: | Cabell |
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Biography:
Life time residence of Cabell County, married to Stephanie (Hinkle) Maynard and two sons Andy and Alex.
Recently retired from Huntington Police Department, after 26 years of service. Employed with the Cabell County Sheriffs Department as an S.T.O.P Officer (now called Cabell County Emergency Medical Services) from 1977 to 1980.
Attended Huntington High School and graduated from Barboursville High School. Attended Marshall University, and graduated from West Virginia State Police Academy.
Related Experience:
National conference on juvenile justice 2002- Houston, Texas
National conference on juvenile justice 2000- Tampa, Florida
National conference on juvenile justice 2003- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Domestic violence conference 1999- Reno, Nevada
Interview and interrogation seminar (U.S. Department of Justice) 1998- Charleston, West Virginia
Sex crimes seminar 1998- Huntington, West Virginia
4th Amendment seminar conducted by the F.B.I. (Pittsburg division) 1996
Hate crimes seminar (U.S. Department of Justice) 2002
Special Interests:
Certified in coaching sports in the West Virginia school system. Coached at Beverly Hills Middle School for 7 years and at Barboursville Middle School for 1 year.
Coordinator of the Marshall University track and field camp for 10 years
Coordinator of Don Maynard Promotions (promoting concerts in the Huntington area in various venues for the last 15 years).
Coordinator and Competitor of the Huntington Police Department Olympic Team
Appointed to the Tri-State Transit Authority Executive Board
Elected to the Fraternal Order of Police Farm Board
Elected as a Delegate for the up and coming state Fraternal Order of Police convention
Awards:
Awarded the “Medal of Valor,” the highest decorated award any law enforcement officer can receive for risking his life to save others.
Awarded “Police Officer of the Year” in the State of West Virginia by the Governor
Awarded “West Virginia Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” by the American Society for Industrial Society, KYOVA Chapter
Awarded “WSAZ Hometown hero” two times during his career
Recognized throughout his career by several organizations for achievements while a police officer
Personal Statement:
The position of a magistrate affects so many people on any given day. Magisterial responsibilities include, but are not limited to, Civil Cases, which consist of individuals facing domestic related problems with family members, property disputes or financial issues of $5,000 or less.
Criminal cases are also heard by a magistrate involving search or arrest warrants, issue reasonable bail or commit to jail decisions. Magistrates also hear and decide on traffic, misdemeanor, and felony offenses. Knowledge of the crime and the judicial process are what make a good magistrate.
Over the last 26 years, as a Huntington Police Officer, I worked in many units including domestic and sex crimes, juvenile, property crimes and drug and vice units. I have been directly connected with the victims and suspects, over the course of my law enforcement career, which also connected me with judges, lawyers, prosecutors and other law enforcement agencies. I created a conducive work history with all in order to get the job done and make our city, county, and state a safer place to live.
I have been fair, honest, and proven to be a leader. Coaching sports in our local school system, promoting musical talent, law enforcement officer have been some of my leadership roles. I am also a simple friend and a family man.
I am a people person and that reflects a positive disposition. The citizens need an elected official with an extensive background and a positive disposition.
I am now asking for your support and vote on Nov. 4th for Magistrate of Cabell County.
- What makes you qualified to serve as a magistrate judge? If you're an incumbent, what accomplishment(s) in the current term make you worthy of re-election?
- My extensive background in law enforcement has afforded me the chance,through out my career, to become deeply involved with the judicial system. I've spent countless hours in the courtroom to help the victims of crimes and testify against criminals to make sure justice is upheld. I know how the courtrooms and justice system function.
- Do you have a law degree? Are you a member of the state bar?
- No.
- Current law allows anyone with a high school degree or GED to be magistrate. Circuit judges are required to have a law degree for five years and be a member of the state bar. Should magistrates have similar requirements?
- I strongly feel that the requirements for the position of magistrate should be of a higher level than they are at present. A law degree, not necessarily, but education and experience in the justice system should be a must.
- Many cases are delayed in magistrate court. Do you believe this happens too often? What changes would you make in the upcoming term? Why or why not?
- Continuances do happen in magistrate court and some are unavoidable. Magistrates that have control of their courtrooms can at times avoid unnecessary delays.
- Felony cases are often pleaded down to misdemeanor charges in magistrate court. In fact, a Herald-Dispatch review of felony drug trafficking cases in 2004 found that about 54 percent of the charges were dismissed or reduced to misdemeanor charges. Do you believe too many plea bargains occur? As a magistrate, how would you govern when considering these issues?
- Plead bargains are a necessary evil in the criminal justice system, however, it is the magistrates duty to insure the punishment fits the crime.
- Currently magistrates begin felony court at 10:30 a.m., but the morning roll call is often followed by a lengthy recess and negotiation period. Victims, witnesses and police officers wait, sometimes for hours at a time, as attorneys negotiate. More often than not, the scheduled hearing is canceled or postponed without the subpoenaed persons ever testifying. What can you do as a magistrate in the upcoming term to increase efficiency?
- Before witnesses and police officers are forced, due to subpoena, to respond at great cost, a status or plead bargain conference should be held. Prosecutors and defense attorneys should have a chance to resolve the case more promptly and cost effective before the appearance.
- Critics say some bond amounts are set too high, while others complain many offenders, particularly out-of-town drug suspects, are able to post bond too quickly. How can you address these concerns in the upcoming term?
- Bond should be set according to the risk of flight and the danger to the community of the defendant.
- What role does the magistrate play in reducing Cabell County's regional jail costs?
- Cases that warrant fines, probation or home confinement should be applied.
- Do you support an around-the-clock schedule, which would keep a magistrate on duty 24 hours each day as one way to help reduce Cabell County's jail bill? Do you support the current 8:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekday schedule?
- I support a magistrate on call or on duty 24 hours each day so an individual can post bond if able to do so. Under the current system, a temporary commitment is signed and they are transported directly to jail until a magistrate is available. This has lead to our ever increasing debt at the Western Regional jail.
- In light of increased jail bills and prison overcrowding, many people have supported alternative sentencing. Others push for strict prison and jail sentences to increase public safety and deter future crime. What role do you believe prison/jail has in today's sentencing environment?
- I am a proponent of "you commit the crime you serve the time". I support alternative sentencing on non-violent offenders, but due to the increasing population and crime through out the nation, I firmly believe in sufficient jails/prisons for criminals that need to be incarcerated.
- What role do other punishments, such as home confinement, day reporting, probation and fines, have in today's sentencing environment?
- I feel alternative sentencing is appropriate for only first time offenders with a non-violent history. I am proud to say that we have several successful programs in our area to offer to this type of offender. They are monitored very well.
- Several inmates have been kept in the Western Regional Jail after their charges were dismissed. The jail did not receive release forms from the magistrate who dismissed charges in those instances. The County Commission says this resulted in the county being charged for unnecessary jail stays. What will you do in the upcoming term to address these issues?
- Anytime a magistrate is not focused on his/her responsibilities this will and can happen. I have personally been affected by this issue through out recent years. Magistrates should be held accountable and some type of action should be taken if this is a common practice.
- Do you support the continued use of bail bondsmen in Cabell County?
- Yes.
- What should be a judge's role be in revoking someone's bond when they violate terms of their release?
- The stipulation, in the State of West Virginia, is when an individual violates the terms of their release their bond should be revoked and incarcerated until their scheduled trial.
- According to media reports, a Putnam County circuit judge said he would run for re-election, but vowed he would not accept any contributions. He said he would finance the campaign with his personal savings alone. He made his decision to avoid any impropriety. He said some may think a judicial candidate owes a supporter if he is elected. Will you make a similar pledge? Why or why not?
- No I will not. I feel that candidates should be able to accept contributions from family and friends in order to help finance their respective campaign. I will never accept any contributions from anyone I expect to be immoral or expects to be rewarded for it in the future.
- REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: Do you believe magistrates should be certified after training? Why or why not?
- Magistrates should be required to attend mandatory training courses to maintain certification. With constant changes on civil, criminal and ethical issues, training is a necessity to keep Magistrates currently updated. Magistrates should be required to complete a minimal amount of training hours on a yearly bases and have a satisfactory annual performance evaluation.
- REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: What procedures do you believe could be improved in the handing of domestic violence and child abuse cases?
- I worked directly on domestic violence & child abuse cases as a detective on the Huntington Police Department. I have and always will consider these crimes to be high priority within our court system. I feel that with better communication between Prosecutors, Child Protective Services, etc, all cases could be handled more appropriately.
- REPLY IN FEWER THAN 50 WORDS: Do you think magistrates need to be tougher on littering and other environmental cases?
- The magistrate court system is handling litter violations in an appropriate manner when presented to them. Law Enforcement and Compliance Officers are doing an adequate job issuing citations when the problem arises. If elected Magistrate I will continue to be an advocate in enforcing these particular violations.
