BY REP. TODD CARVER

The stabbing death of a young Ukrainian woman named Iryna in Charlotte was the impetus for the latest update to the N.C. criminal justice system. The video of her death has made anyone who has seen it understand the need for change in how we protect our communities.

Iryna’s Law was approved by the N.C. House and Senate in September. Gov. Josh Stein signed the legislation into law last week.

Here are some of the provisions in the new law:

♦ One of the first changes is the elimination of the written promise as a condition of release for a criminal charge. Having worked in law enforcement officer for many years, I certainly understand the frustration of arresting someone only to have them released with a written promise to return to court. There is another form of release called an unsecured bond which wasn’t eliminated. So I wouldn’t say this law is a complete elimination of cashless bail, but it is a step in the right direction.

♦ Iryna’s Law also creates a new category of crimes called “Violent offenses.” These are all serious assaults classified as crimes of violence. Defendants charged with a crimes of violence will be subject to more stringent monitoring with GPS and house-arrest requirements. These new requirements will restrict the ability of magistrates and judges to release defendants based on prior convictions for other crimes of violence.

♦ This same list of “violent offenses” will also trigger a mental health evaluation for any defendant who has an involuntary commitment within the past three years or indications of a mental health crisis at the time of arrest processing. This will ensure people who are in crisis get the evaluations they need to protect themselves and the community.

♦ The bill also funds 10 new positions in the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office. I disagree with the Mecklenburg County DA’s approach to keeping the residents of his county safe. Mecklenburg County dismisses entirely too many cases. There needs to be recognition that this is done at the expense of public safety. Dismissing cases frustrates victims and law enforcement alike. Until Mecklenburg County voters elect a DA with a different strategy for protecting the community, I fear there will be more of the same results. As the saying goes, doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

♦ One final major part of this bill is it allows for the implementation of the death penalty by means of a firing squad. I believe if the death penalty is handed down by a jury it should be executed in accordance with the law. This provision of the Iryna’s Law only allows more options for carrying out the sentence handed down by the order of a jury and the courts.

We all need to work together to come up with solutions that truly improve the safety of our communities. I look forward to continuing our goal of creating an improved criminal justice system for victims and families.

If I can ever help you or your family, please let me know.

Rep. Todd Carver represents the 95th District in the N.C. House. Email him at todd.carver@ncleg.gov.