Case Explained: Pitt County stakeholders gather to address concerns surrounding Iryna’s Law – Legal Perspective

PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Discussion for changes in Iryna’s Law began today in Pitt County as organizations impacted by the law gathered at the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office.

The meeting brought together stakeholders of Pitt County to address concerns around new laws on involuntary commitment exams.

After 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was fatally stabbed on the Charlotte Light Rail train last August, the legislature quickly passed a law that made significant changes to the process of charging someone with a violent crime.

However, the rapid passage left county officials with minimal time to adjust to the new involuntary commitment exam rules.

Protocols around IVC exams in Iryna’s law were paused as they primarily impacted law enforcement and health officials.

Officials now have to develop a plan to implement new IVC exams.

Today’s meeting was the beginning of an effort to prepare for the law’s full implementation.

Pitt County stakeholders, including superior and district court judges, the district attorney’s office, the public defender’s office, ECU Health, and the Greenville police, all met to discuss their primary concerns.

Sheriff Paula Dance says, “It takes a village and a community. As a community partner, we certainly want to create a space, a conversation that needs to be had in preparation for the law.”

Many officials expressed concerns about many factors, including funding the process, overcrowding in jails, staffing issues, and mental health procedures.

However, legal concerns were a main discussion, as the IVC process can extend wait times and leave defendants in jail for longer than normal.

Assistant Public Defender of District Two Kristi Stilton says, “The question just becomes how quickly and efficiently can we do the health process and how is that going to delay the criminal process?”

Solutions were not discussed, as officials say this is just phase one of the discussion.

However, officials understand that this law will affect everyone across law enforcement and healthcare professionals.

“It’s going to affect everyone from the top to the bottom. I think it was a great start, but we need several more meetings,” Stilton says.

Officials explained that this law requires them to operate as a unit. Pitt County officials will continue to discuss solutions before the deadline of December 1st, 2026.

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