Just How Dangerous is Cashless Bail? President of the North Carolina Bail Agents Association, Julie Henderson, discusses Iryna's Law with Ken Good on the Bail Post

For the past several years, we have listened to proponents of bail reform tell us that we can release criminals from jail without any financial security or accountability and our communities will be safer.   Unfortunately, these free cashless bail policies have led to story after story of criminal defendants reoffending and committing violent crimes.  None more heinous than the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in August of 2025. 

Ms. Zarutska was a Ukrainian refugee who had legally immigrated to the United States with her family to escape the Russian invasion.  On August 22, she was fatally stabbed three times from behind while seated on the Lynx Blue Line light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina. The unprovoked attack occurred at the East/West Boulevard station as she was heading home after working at a pizza shop and attending college. The incident was captured on surveillance video, showing the suspect, Decarlos Brown Jr., attacking her shortly after she boarded. Sadly, Zarutska died from her injuries, including a lethal neck wound. The video's initial withholding from the public shifted when the Charlotte mayor publicly thanked the press for not releasing it, after which it spread widely online.

House Bill 307 - Iryna's Law

In response to this tragedy, the North Carolina General Assembly swiftly passed House Bill 307, known as Iryna's Law. The legislation, effective on December 2025, tightens pretrial release rules—particularly eliminating cashless bail options for violent offenses, expanding definitions of such crimes, requiring more scrutiny of public safety and mental health factors in bail decisions, and facilitating involuntary commitment processes for certain defendants. It also includes other criminal justice reforms, such as changes to sentencing factors and procedures.

One of the leading criminal justice podcasts, The Bail Post, spoke with North Carolina bail agent and President of the North Carolina Bail Agents Association, Julie Henderson about this new law, called Iryna’s law and how it will play a key role in keeping our communities safe.

Watch the interview by clicking on the link below...

Episode 73 - What is Iryna's Law with NCBAA President, Julie Henderson