FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to prepare for major changes to North Carolina’s bail and pretrial release rules when the state’s new “Iryna’s Law” takes effect Dec. 1, 2025.
The law creates a new category of violent offenses, according to the department. It includes any serious felony involving assault or the use or threat of physical force, any felony that would require someone to register as a sex offender, murder and related violent crimes, certain breaking and entering offenses, stalking, and crimes involving fentanyl. Attempts to commit these crimes are also included.
One of the biggest changes: people charged with these violent offenses will no longer be eligible for a Written Promise to Appear. The only allowed forms of release will be unsecured bonds, custody release, secured bonds or electronic house arrest…