NC General Assembly Passes Iryna's Law

The N.C. General Assembly passed Iryna's Law yesterday, sending the important legislation to Gov. Josh Stein's desk.

The soft-on-crime policies championed by former Gov. Roy Cooper, Stein, and Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls have no place in North Carolina and must be eradicated. This legislation begins the work to do just that.

Among the provisions:

  • Eliminate cashless bail in many instances and provide for a new procedure to have defendants with suspected mental health issues to be evaluated for involuntary commitment.

  • Modify the laws related to pretrial release to provide stricter guidelines for defendants charged with violent offenses and defendants with extensive criminal histories.

  • Modify the laws related to aggravated factors considered at sentencing to provide that committing a crime in a public transit system is an aggravating factor to be considered.

  • Modify the laws related to oversight and discipline of magistrates to mandate new rules related to conflicts of interests and to allow oversight by the Chief Justice.

  • Direct the North Carolina Collaboratory to study mental health in the justice system, and certain other issues.

  • Prohibit the Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice from being recreated.

  • Modify death penalty proceedings to provide that appeals and post-conviction motions for appropriate relief must be heard within 24 months of the triggering events, and to provide that the venue for any proceeding related to a death penalty case must be in the county of conviction.

  • Modify certain procedures for involuntary commitment of a defendant found incapable of proceeding.

  • Extend the terms of probation and post-release supervision for youth adjudicated of certain violent offenses and clarity a victim's right to be notified about termination of probation or post- release supervision.

  • Provide for funding to allow the Mecklenburg County District Attorney (Prosecutorial District 26) to hire 10 additional full-time assistant district attorneys and 5 full-time legal assistants.

These common sense changes are too late for Iryna. Her legacy will be enacting last changes within the justice system for the betterment of communities and families.

"Our state legislators worked quickly to enact these important changes to end Democrats' soft-on-crime policies in the judicial system. Their work will make North Carolinians safer," said NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons. 

FURTHER READING: 

Washington Free Beacon: "Roy Cooper's 'Racial Equity' Task Force Pushed Soft-on-Crime Policy That Released Iryna Zarutska's Killer From Jail. Cooper Calls It a Major 'Accomplishment.'"

Fox News: "North Carolina lawmakers pass 'Iryna's Law' to eliminate cashless bail after Charlotte train stabbing"

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