North Carolina House Passes Iryna’s Law to End Cashless Bail After Charlotte Light-Rail Stabbing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina House on Tuesday approved Iryna’s Law, a package of criminal-justice reforms aimed at eliminating cashless bail and tightening pretrial-release rules in the wake of a fatal stabbing on a Charlotte light-rail train. The measure passed 82-30 and now goes to Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat.

The bill would end the practice of releasing defendants on a written promise to appear and create a process to evaluate defendants with suspected mental health issues for involuntary commitment. It would also modify pretrial-release standards to tighten guidelines for defendants charged with violent offenses and those with extensive criminal histories. Senate President Phil Berger, a Republican, said the measure reflects a push to restore public safety priorities. “Iryna should still be alive. She should be thriving and enjoying time with her family and friends,” Berger said. “We cannot let North Carolina be held hostage by woke, weak-on-crime policies and court officials who prioritize criminals over justice for victims.” House Speaker Destin Hall, also a Republican, added that residents deserve to live without fear of criminals being “cycled in and out” of the system. “We will simply not tolerate policies that allow violent offenders back onto our streets to commit more crimes and jeopardize public safety,” Hall said.

The package would also allow judges to impose GPS monitoring and conditional bonds for a newly defined category of violent offenses; electronic monitoring and house arrest would be weighted options for certain recidivist offenders. A separate provision would require death-penalty appeals to be adjudicated within two years of filing, rather than allowing challenges to linger in the judicial system. These provisions aim to slow what supporters describe as cycles of crime and courtroom delays that undermine public safety.

The measure comes as Charlotte grapples with the Aug. 22 stabbing on a city light-rail train that authorities described as a random act of violence. Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who had recently relocated to Charlotte. A memorial for Zarutska has since become a focal point for community members seeking stronger crime policies and greater accountability in the justice system. A memorial dedicated to Iryna Zarutska appeared in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 2025, as residents paid tribute and lawmakers pressed for reforms.

Supporters say the bill addresses immediate safety concerns raised by the fatal stabbing and the broader need to tighten pretrial controls on violent offenders. Opponents have warned that altering pretrial-release practices could affect defendants’ rights and bail decisions in complex cases, though the bill’s sponsors emphasize mechanisms like GPS monitoring and conditional bonds to maintain oversight.

Proponents argue the reforms would reduce the likelihood that dangerous defendants are released on flimsy promises to appear and would provide authorities with more tools to manage individuals with mental-health needs while ensuring due process. The legislation signals a broader, ongoing debate in North Carolina about how to balance public safety, courtroom efficiency and civil liberties in a modern criminal-justice system. As the bill advances to the governor’s desk, lawmakers, law enforcement officials and advocacy groups will be closely watching for how the new measures are implemented and what they mean for future prosecutions and pretrial decisions.

For Brown, the case continues to unfold in Mecklenburg County, with prosecutors pursuing charges tied to Zarutska’s death as the state moves forward with a set of tough-on-crime reforms intended to deter violence and improve pretrial oversight while addressing mental-health issues that may accompany some defendants. The measure’s fate now rests with Gov. Stein, who will weigh the proposals against concerns raised by critics and the broader political climate surrounding crime policy in North Carolina.