Jim Nabors

By Janet L. Metzner, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Oct. 31–Jim Nabors, candidate for Monongalia County magistrate, said he’s made his share of mistakes, just like everyone does, and knowing that fact is important for a magistrate. “I think everybody makes mistakes in their lives, especially younger people, and they shouldn’t have to pay forever. The punishment not only should fit the crime, but it also should fit the person,” he said. Nabors, a police captain who retired this year as assistant chief for the Morgantown Police Department, is among the four candidates vying for two magistrate seats. He said his nearly 30 years of police work has taught him valuable lessons. “I’ve learned throughout my police career how to ask the right question, how to get to the truth of an issue or matter that is before you. I know how to interview people and I think all of that would help me with magistrate,” Nabors said. And he was taught to not jump to conclusions — to not go into a case with preconceived notions or prejudices, and to let the facts speak for themselves, he said. Nabors said the biggest issue Monongalia County faces is the cost for prosecuting and incarcerating people guilty of crimes. “You can’t lock everybody up. The jails aren’t big enough. There’s a time when somebody needs to be sent away,” he said. But there are alternatives, Nabors said. While state law sets maximum punishment and fines, “I think there are ways to be creative in sentencing — and not so much incarceration,” he said. For example, people guilty of minor offenses could be sentenced to community service, such as picking up litter and cleaning up trash. While violent offenders must go to jail, “You’ve got to look at the person and try to make a determination — ‘does this individual deserve a break?’ — a second chance to try to turn their lives around?’ ” Nabors said. But what about repeat offenders? “If you see someone who comes before you over and over again, there comes a time to put that person away for awhile. … I will know as a magistrate when someone needs to be removed from the community,” he said. When asked what people will notice about his work if elected, Nabors said, “I think people would notice that I would take the extra step to try to be fair to both sides of an issue, and to give them their day in court and to make the decision according to law.” He said he will be fair and consistent determining the issues brought before him. For example, he will sentence one person with one first-offense DUI the same as the next who came in — with the same fine and time in jail. “I think people just want to be treated the same. It shouldn’t matter whether you live in Greystone or Blacksville or the Kingwood Pike — wherever. People just want to be treated the same,” he said.

Nabors said people will notice more — “They would know that I have a very good work ethic. I proved that as a police officer. My honesty and integrity will never be in question.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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