Understanding Iryna’s Law and Changes to Pretrial Release (Bond) in North Carolina
Pretrial release, also known as “bond,” can be incredibly valuable to defendants in North Carolina. Incarceration not only puts defendants in danger, but it also makes planning your defense strategy more challenging. Iryna’s Law is making it increasingly challenging to secure pretrial release, and it makes sense to understand these evolving issues if you’re trying to get out on bond in North Carolina.
What Is Iryna’s Law?
Iryna’s Law is named after Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian woman who was murdered on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. The man who stabbed her had been arrested on 14 prior occasions in Mecklenburg County. His past convictions included breaking and entering and armed robbery. Eventually, it was determined that the defendant was not fit to stand trial due to his mental health issues.
The murder received widespread attention around the world, particularly because the victim had fled to the United States from war-torn Ukraine in an apparent attempt to reach safety. The case also led to the passing of House Bill 307 (Iryna’s Law), which created new restrictions on pretrial release.
How Does Iryna’s Law Affect Bond in North Carolina?
Iryna’s Law creates a new category of crimes called “violent offenses.” Examples include assault, sex crimes, certain offenses involving fentanyl, and generally any crime that involves the use of physical force on another person. If you are charged with a violent offense under Iryna’s Law, you are subject to new conditions of release.
Judicial officials must consider the entire criminal history of the defendant when determining the conditions for bond. Previously, a judicial official could only consider the defendant’s past convictions. A judicial official must also consider the housing situation of the defendant when determining bond conditions.
Written promises are no longer acceptable for those seeking bond. The only valid options include unsecured bonds, secured bonds, custody releases, and house arrest. For an alleged violent offender, secured bonds and house arrest are the only two acceptable options. If a defendant has three prior convictions on their record, they are also limited to only secured bonds and house arrest.
If you are an alleged violent offender with a prior violent conviction on your record, then house arrest with a secured bond is usually the only option. The same logic generally applies to a defendant who was arrested for a violent crime while already out on bond.
In summary, bond is still available in North Carolina, but it has become far more challenging to obtain after a violent crime arrest.
Can a North Carolina Defense Attorney Help Me Secure Pretrial Release?
If you want to secure pretrial release despite the emerging issues related to Iryna’s Law, it may be helpful to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney in North Carolina. While new changes make it more challenging to get out on bond, pretrial release may still be possible with appropriate strategies. Continue this conversation today with The Pritchard Firm.
Source:
nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu/2025/11/04/irynas-law-and-pretrial-release/