Criminal Justice (Courts)

HB 95 increases penalties for threats against certain elected and public officials in North Carolina, making such threats a Class I felony. It directly affects individuals who make threats against legislative, executive, court, local elected, or election officials, requiring a $50,000 secured appearance bond for anyone charged with these offenses. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that threats need not be received or believed by the targeted official, and it specifically covers threats made in retaliation for an official's duties. The law applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

HB 307, "Iryna's Law," modifies North Carolina's pretrial release rules for defendants charged with specific violent offenses, including murder, rape, and certain sexual offenses against children. It requires police to inform judicial officials about defendant behavior observed during arrest that suggests danger to self/others, and restricts pretrial release for those charged with the listed violent crimes. The bill also extends probation terms for youth convicted of violent offenses, mandates victim notification when probation ends, and appropriates funds for additional legal staff in Judicial District 26. These changes directly affect defendants facing violent crime charges, victims, and court resources in the specified district.