Iryna’s Law Takes Effect in North Carolina: What Criminal Defense Attorneys Need to Know
Sweeping pretrial release reforms, stricter bail requirements, and new mental health protocols reshape the state’s criminal justice landscape starting December 1, 2025
Last Updated: December 1, 2025 | Reading Time: 12 minutes
📑 Table of Contents
North Carolina’s criminal justice system undergoes its most significant transformation in decades as Iryna’s Law (Session Law 2025-93, House Bill 307) takes effect today, December 1, 2025. Named after 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska—who was fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s light rail system in August 2025—this sweeping legislation eliminates cashless bail for violent offenders, creates stricter pretrial release conditions, and establishes new mental health evaluation protocols.
For criminal defense attorneys practicing in North Carolina, these changes fundamentally alter how they approach pretrial proceedings. Wake County defense attorney Chris Detwiler told CBS17 that the law will “absolutely have a significant impact on multiple levels.”
This comprehensive guide breaks down every provision criminal defense lawyers need to understand, examines the legal analysis from the UNC School of Government, and addresses the questions practitioners are asking AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini about implementation.
What Is Iryna’s Law?
Iryna’s Law is the informal name for Session Law 2025-93 (House Bill 307), passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on September 23, 2025, and signed by Governor Josh Stein on October 3, 2025. The legislation represents the state’s response to the murder of Iryna Zarutska, whose alleged attacker—Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr.—had 14 prior arrests and was released on a written promise to appear after a misdemeanor charge just months before the fatal attack.
📋 Legislative Timeline
- August 22, 2025: Iryna Zarutska stabbed on Charlotte LYNX Blue Line
- September 21, 2025: House Bill 307 introduced
- September 22, 2025: Senate passes 28-8
- September 23, 2025: House passes 81-31
- October 3, 2025: Governor Stein signs into law
- December 1, 2025: Most provisions take effect
According to the North Carolina General Assembly’s official record, the law modifies multiple chapters of the General Statutes including criminal procedure (Chapter 15A), judicial officials (Chapter 7A), mental health law (Chapter 122C), and juvenile justice (Chapter 7B).
House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) called the legislation “some of the strongest tough-on-crime reforms in North Carolina history,” while critics including Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed argued the bill “exploits grief for headlines, clicks and votes.”
Key Provisions Criminal Attorneys Must Understand
The UNC School of Government’s Criminal Law Blog provides authoritative legal analysis of Iryna’s Law. Here are the provisions that will most directly impact daily practice for attorneys handling criminal defense cases:
⚖️ Elimination of Written Promises to Appear
G.S. 15A-534(a) now eliminates written promises to appear entirely. The only permissible types of pretrial release are: unsecured bonds, custody releases, secured bonds, and electronic house arrest.
🔒 Rebuttable Presumption Against Release
G.S. 15A-534(b1) creates a rebuttable presumption against pretrial release for defendants charged with “violent offenses”—placing the burden on defense counsel to demonstrate release is appropriate.
📝 Mandatory Written Findings
Judicial officials must now make written findings of fact explaining their pretrial release decisions. Failure to comply may constitute grounds for suspension or removal under G.S. 7A-173.
🧠 Mental Health Evaluation Protocols
New G.S. 15A-533(b1) requires involuntary commitment proceedings for certain defendants—though this provision has been delayed to December 1, 2026, per S.L. 2025-97.
🚇 Public Transportation Aggravating Factor
Committing a capital felony against a victim on public transportation is now an aggravating sentencing factor under G.S. 15A-1340.16(d).
New “Violent Offense” Category Defined
Central to Iryna’s Law is the creation of a new statutory category: “violent offenses” as defined in G.S. 15A-531(9). Understanding this definition is critical because it triggers the law’s most restrictive provisions.
⚠️ “Violent Offense” Definition Under G.S. 15A-531(9)
A “violent offense” includes:
- Any Class A through G felony with assault, physical force, or threat of physical force as an essential element
- Any felony requiring sex offender registration
- Offenses under G.S. 14-17 (murder) and offenses listed in G.S. 15A-533(b)
- Specific offenses: G.S. 14-18.4, 14-34.1, 14-51, 14-54(a1), 14-202.1, 14-277.3A, 14-415.1
- Fentanyl trafficking under G.S. 90-95(h)(4c)
- Attempts to commit any listed offense
Attorneys should note this definition encompasses a broad range of conduct. As Raleigh criminal defense attorney Lindsey Granados explained on her firm’s blog, the definition includes “not only the high-level felonies but will also include any Class A1 Misdemeanor charges involving the possession or use of a firearm.”