Kanawha County prosecutor announces new policy with tougher stance on violent crime

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) — The Kanawha County District Attorney's Office announced a policy Tuesday that calls for a tougher approach to violent crimes involving firearms, sex crimes and crimes against children.

The new Violent Offender Initiative for Community Empowerment (VOICE) will prohibit bail reductions, agreed-upon personal bonds, releases for treatment and plea deals for serious crimes involving gun violence, sex crimes and crimes against children, a press release said.

“We hope that a defendant who understands that the Kanawha County District Attorney's Office will crack down and that we will be extremely tough on these types of violent crimes, that might have a deterrent effect and deter these individuals from committing these types of crimes and keep the people and our citizens in the community safe,” said Kanawha County District Attorney Debra Rusnak.

Rusnak said in the press release that because of this policy, her office will seek the highest possible bail and sentences for the crimes mentioned.

“For too long, violent crimes, sex crimes and crimes of violence against children have been treated like any other crime,” she said in the press release. “That stops today. Enough is enough.”

The new directive will come into force on Tuesday, August 13th.