News
Federal judge allows suit over jail mental health services to proceed
A federal judge will allow a lawsuit to proceed against a North Carolina state agency over mental health services provided to jail inmates.
News
Mental health suit targeting NC jails could proceed as class action
A lawsuit targeting mental health services available to inmates in North Carolina’s county jails could move forward as a class-action complaint.
News
Iryna’s Law takes effect, restricts pretrial release, cashless bail
The legislation, formally known as House Bill 307, was fast-tracked through the General Assembly just weeks after Zarutska’s murder in August.
News
Proposal calls to tighten NC guidelines for pretrial release
North Carolina’s bail policies face scrutiny as magistrates aren’t required to review criminal histories or follow clear guidelines when setting bail.
Opinion
Turnstiles and trust: Fixing the safety gaps exposed in Charlotte
The Charlotte murder revealed what residents already feared: the transit system has dangerous gaps.
News
Criminal justice bill ‘Iryna’s Law’ heads to the governor
The sweeping criminal justice reform bill passed just a month after the murder of Iryna Zarutska just one month earlier in Charlotte.
News
One month after her murder, Senate passes Iryna’s Law
The North Carolina Senate has approved “Iryna’s Law,” a measure that changes pretrial release rules, eliminates cashless bail, and makes other adjustments to the state’s criminal justice system.
Opinion
Discretion can be a dangerous word in criminal justice
We should expect magistrates to be qualified and trained at the highest level. Specific and consistent standards for setting bail should also be established. Far too many people have been victimized by repeat offenders who were let back on the streets. It needs to stop.
Opinion
Public safety is first duty of government, and cashless bail weakens it
We must reserve pretrial detention for violent and repeat offenders while avoiding needless detention for low-level offenders to ensure the system works as intended and public trust is restored.
News
Lawmakers build momentum for criminal justice reforms after Charlotte murder
State lawmakers are rounding up support across branches of North Carolina’s government ahead of a major criminal law reform bill expected to be filed Sept. 22 in the General Assembly. The move comes amid public outrage following the recent light rail murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte and growing demands for stronger protections in public spaces.
News
Moore sponsors legislation ending cashless bail following Charlotte murder
Federal lawmakers take action in the wake of Iryna Zaruska's murder.
News
Magistrate judge rejects injunction, would allow jail mental health lawsuit to proceed
A federal magistrate judge recommends denying an injunction in a lawsuit blaming state government for delays in providing mental health services to county jail inmates. The judge issued an opinion Thursday that would allow portions of the lawsuit to move forward.
