Updated October 2025 – Off The Hook Bail Bonds, Brunswick County, NC
If you or a loved one has been arrested in Brunswick County, North Carolina, understanding the bail process has become more important than ever. Governor Josh Stein recently signed a major criminal justice bill into law that significantly changes how bail works in North Carolina, particularly for violent crimes and repeat offenders.
As your local bail bondsmen serving Southport, Leland, Shallotte, Oak Island, Bolivia, and all of Brunswick County, we want to help you understand how these new laws affect you and your family.
What is Iryna’s Law?
House Bill 307, known as “Iryna’s Law,” alerts the judiciary to take a special look at people who may pose unusual risks of violence before determining their bail. The law is named after Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was tragically killed in a Charlotte light rail stabbing. The suspect in that case had been previously released without posting bail.
Key Changes to North Carolina Bail Laws
1. End of Cashless Bail for Certain Violent Crimes
The new law bars cashless bail for certain violent crimes and for many repeat offenders. This means defendants charged with specific violent offenses can no longer be released on a simple “promise to appear” without posting bail.
What this means for Brunswick County: If someone is arrested for a qualifying violent crime at the Brunswick County Detention Center in Bolivia, they will be required to post bail through a bondsman or pay the full bail amount to secure release.
2. Stricter Guidelines for Repeat Offenders
Iryna’s Law prohibits cashless bail for most repeat offenders and limits the discretion magistrates and judges have in making pretrial release decisions. This addresses concerns about individuals cycling through the justice system without accountability.
3. Mental Health Evaluations Required
The law requires more defendants to undergo mental health evaluations before release decisions are made. This helps ensure that individuals who may pose a risk to themselves or others receive proper assessment and care.
4. Enhanced Judicial Oversight
The new law allows for the state chief justice to suspend magistrates who don’t follow proper bail protocols, adding another layer of accountability to the system.
How Does This Affect Bail Bonds in Brunswick County?
Increased Need for Professional Bail Bond Services
With cashless bail no longer available for many offenses, more families in Brunswick County will need bail bond services to secure their loved one’s release from the Brunswick County Detention Center.
How bail bonds work in North Carolina:
- North Carolina law sets bail bond fees at 15% of the total bail amount
- If bail is set at $10,000, you pay $1,500 to a licensed bondsman
- The bondsman posts the full $10,000 bail with the court
- Your loved one is released from custody
- You don’t pay the full bail amount upfront
Who Qualifies for Bail Under the New Law?
Not everyone arrested in Brunswick County will be affected by these changes. The new restrictions primarily apply to:
- Defendants charged with specific violent felonies
- Individuals with multiple prior offenses
- Those deemed to pose “unusual risks of violence”
Many defendants charged with non-violent crimes, first-time offenses, or misdemeanors may still be eligible for other forms of release, though a judge will make the final determination.
What Should Brunswick County Families Do?
If Your Loved One Has Been Arrested
1. Call Off The Hook Bail Bonds immediately at [Your Phone Number] We’re available 24/7/365 to help families throughout Brunswick County, including Southport, Leland, Shallotte, Oak Island, Calabash, Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, and Bolivia.
2. Gather necessary information:
- Full name of the arrested person
- Booking number (if available)
- Location (Brunswick County Detention Center, 70 Stamp Act Dr NE, Bolivia, NC 28422)
- Charges filed
3. Understand the bail amount and conditions We’ll help you navigate the new requirements and explain what you need to post bail under the updated laws.
4. Complete the bail bond process We offer convenient payment options and work quickly to get your loved one released from custody as soon as possible.
Why These Changes Matter for Public Safety in Brunswick County
Governor Stein stated that the law ensures the judiciary takes special care with people who may pose unusual risks of violence before determining their bail. For coastal Brunswick County communities like Southport, Oak Island, and Leland, this means:
- Increased accountability for repeat offenders who may pose risks to our coastal communities
- Better protection for victims and witnesses during the pretrial period
- Reduced recidivism by ensuring appropriate supervision and monitoring
- Peace of mind for residents that violent offenders won’t be immediately released
As a bail bondsman who has served Brunswick County for years, I’ve seen how important accountability is in the pretrial system. These new laws represent a balanced approach that maintains access to bail while prioritizing community safety.