When 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was killed on a Charlotte light-rail train in August 2025, the tragedy sent shockwaves through North Carolina. Lawmakers moved quickly and questioned whether existing pretrial release laws were doing enough to protect the public.

The result was Iryna’s Law, which took effect December 1, 2025. The new legislation dramatically alters how the state approaches bond and pretrial release; especially in cases involving alleged violent crimes.

What Is Iryna’s Law?

Also known as House Bill 307, Iryna’s Law amends North Carolina’s pretrial release statutes to give judges and magistrates new tools and responsibilities when determining if a defendant should be released before trial.

While the law affects multiple areas of criminal procedure, its most impactful provisions concern pretrial release conditions and procedures.

Key Changes to Pretrial Release

Here’s what’s changed under Iryna’s Law and what it means in practice:

1. Rebuttable Presumption Against Release for Violent Offenses

For defendants charged with what’s considered a “violent offense,” the law creates a rebuttable presumption. This means no condition of release will reasonably assure community safety or the defendant’s appearance in court.

In layman’s terms:

• In any case that involves a specified violent crime (such as assault with a deadly weapon), detention will be automatically favored over release.
• The court must provide a thorough justification for the defendant’s release, proving public safety is not at risk.

2. Elimination of Cashless Bail for Many Offenders

Under the new law, a simple written promise to appear (often called “cashless bail”) can no longer be used for many violent or repeat offenders. Instead, judges must impose more restrictive release conditions, such as secured bonds, house arrest, or electronic monitoring (GPS).

These measures reflect the law’s intent to reduce the number of high-risk defendants released without supervision.

3. Pretrial Mental Health Evaluations

Iryna’s Law also expands courts’ authority to order mental health evaluations prior to setting pretrial release conditions. Specifically:

• If a defendant is charged with a violent offense and has a recent history of involuntary mental-health commitment,
• Or if a judicial official has reasonable grounds to believe a defendant is dangerous to themselves or others,

Then the court must order an initial examination by a certified commitment examiner. The goal is to ensure mental health concerns are more systematically factored into pretrial decisions.

4. Consideration of Criminal History and Repeat Offenders

Iryna’s Law gives judicial officials broader latitude to consider a defendant’s prior record. Under the law:

• A person with three or more convictions (Class 1 misdemeanor or higher) within the past 10 years faces stricter conditions and may only be released on secured bond or house arrest with monitoring, rather than unsecured release.

This change reduces the likelihood that someone with multiple prior convictions is released on minimal conditions.

What Iryna’s Law Means for Your Case

Iryna’s Law has fundamentally changed the early stages of a criminal case in North Carolina. In many situations, bond hearings are no longer routine. Judges must now consider additional statutory factors and, in some cases, conduct more extensive review before release is even an option.

As a result, the first appearance in court carries more weight than ever before.

Charged with a Violent Offense? Contact Gross Law Group

Pretrial release decisions can shape the entire trajectory of a case. Even temporary detention can impact employment, family stability, and long-term defense strategy.

Iryna’s Law reflects the legislature’s focus on public safety. Our role is to ensure that your rights, your circumstances, and the full context of your case are clearly and effectively presented.

If you or a loved one is facing charges in North Carolina, early legal guidance matters. The Gross Law Group stands ready to protect your rights and advocate for you at every stage of the process. Contact us today to protect your tomorrow.