CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Iryna’s Law is officially in effect in North Carolina less than three months after Iryna Zarutska was killed on the light rail.

The law, signed by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein in October, was designed to overhaul parts of the criminal justice system, and supporters say it helps keep violent criminal offenders behind bars.

WBTV spoke with a former magistrate and the Mecklenburg County District Attorney. They said it’s hard to know on day one how much impact the law will have on the courts and the detention center. Both agree that some of the changes were long overdue.

“What gives me hope is not what happens within this building, but really what we can now do for victims of crime,” said Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather.

With Iry

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