Should I Turn Myself In If There Is a Warrant for My Arrest in Connecticut?
In some cases, you may have been notified by law enforcement that there is a warrant for your arrest, and in others, you may suspect that there is based on an incident that occurred, police contacting you, or both. One of the first questions people ask is: “Should I turn myself in?”
The short answer to this question is: sometimes, but not without understanding what that entails and what your options are first. Here’s what you should know if you find out you have a warrant for your arrest, or you believe you do.
What Does It Mean to Have a Warrant in Connecticut?
A warrant means that law enforcement has investigated a crime, submitted an affidavit explaining the suspected crime, and a judge has authorized law enforcement to arrest you. This can happen for several reasons, including, but not limited to:
failure to appear in court for a scheduled court date
new criminal charges
violation of probation
violation of court ordered conditions
violation of a protective order or restraining order
Once a warrant is signed by a judge, police can come find you and arrest you. This means they can show up, unannounced, at your home, workplace, traffic stop, or anywhere in public.
Is Voluntarily Turning Yourself In Ever a Good Idea?
In almost every circumstances, turning yourself in voluntarily on an active warrant is the best idea. It can be beneficial when:
you want to show the court you’re not alluding police and taking the matter seriously
you have no prior criminal history
an attorney has pre-arranged the date and time and determined the bond amount
you want to prevent a random arrest, especially in front of children or coworkers
Handled correctly, a voluntary surrender can sometimes reduce the risk of being held on a high bond, being taken into custody unexpectedly or without a chance to get your affairs in order, and a judge viewing you as non-cooperative or avoiding the law.
Why You Should Speak to a Lawyer Before Turning Yourself In
Freaking out and making moves immediately, especially before speaking with an attorney, can result in costly mistakes. Turning yourself in with no plan can result in an immediate arrest and lockup, being held on unexpected bond amounts and conditions, protective orders being issued, and sitting in custody longer than necessary.
A criminal defense attorney, when contacted early, can do several things, including, confirming whether a warrant actually exists, determining the type of warrant, arrange a surrender, advocate for a reasonable bond, and coordinate the timing so you’re not held longer than necessary.
Ignoring the Warrant
Ignoring a warrant is a bad idea. Consequences can include arrest in public, additional charges, higher bond amounts, harsher conditions of release, and damage to the case in court.
A warrant does not go away on its own. Even if you’re innocent, the only way to move forward and resolve the issue is to turn yourself in and deal with it in court.
Every case is different and an attorney’s advice could depend on several factors like the potential charges, criminal history, alleged violence, whether family violence is involved, whether bond can be negotiated in advance, and more.
Contact an attorney today if you have an active warrant or believe you are being investigated.
