Why do criminals hand themselves in?

[glazbagun]

I've often wondered why the police make appeals to criminals to hand themselves in:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/85413...

So you're a wanted man & the plod urge you to hand yourself in. Why on earth would you be doing that? I guess you get sick of hiding out in a garden, perhaps, but does a police call to come into custody make it easier? Is it just a method of getting your picture out there/encouraging your friends/accomplicies to stop hiding you?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/8505...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_we...

[Eric Mc]

Despite what you might read in the media, people who have done something "crminal" (although they aren't "crminals" until a court finds them guilty), may feel guilty and remorseful themselves for what they have done.

Alternatively, they may decide that they have a good case for defending their innocence and decide to hand themselves in so they can state their case.

[chim]

Going back many years, had a friend who had a warrant issued against him for non payment of fine (he was skint and could not afford to pay it). He new he would get locked up for 14 days when they caught up with him. The knowledge of this tore him to bits, every time he saw a police car or beat bobby he took to his heals. He was a wreck for weeks, constantly o edge just waiting for them to come and get him. He eventually decided to hand himself in as he could not take the stress anymore

[gti tim]

When we go looking for wanted persons, we dont just call during office hours. If a person has given a home address of XYZ, we go to XYZ to look for them, be it 11am, 11pm, or 6am on a Sunday. The person at that address usually knows exactly where the wanted person is, or has a good idea. That person will be wanted by police for questioning, or for charge, or by a court for failing to appear. They have made that choice, not us, and therefore have the choice to hide, or hand themselves in.

Generally wanted people get fed up with their family being woken up, having to hide and run all the time. They just get it over with and hand themselves in/

Edited by gti tim on Sunday 28th February 13:08

[crofty1984]

If someone hands themself in, are they more likely to get a more lenient sentance?

[soad]

crofty1984 said:

If someone hands themself in, are they more likely to get a more lenient sentance?

I wondered the same. Depends on a judge perhaps (to be taken into consideration), as well as on the charges being faced. Probably not that much in it.

Edited by soad on Sunday 28th February 13:47

[Jasandjules]

crofty1984 said:

If someone hands themself in, are they more likely to get a more lenient sentance?

I think it would certainly be a tact to be used in a plea in mitigation.

The fundamental part however is (IMHO) the stage at which a guilty plea is entered. The sooner the better basically.

[jeff m]

If you were accussed or wanted for a crime you did not commit, it would be logical to "hand yourself in", most would.

Although you might regret it if you end up being found guilty

[gti tim]

crofty1984 said:

If someone hands themself in, are they more likely to get a more lenient sentance?

Not usually - if you are wanted by Police on suspicion of offence / for charge then the result is you will be charged if sufficient evidence, released if not.

If you are wanted by the court, it is usually because you have failed to appear, or failed to keep to court order, treatment order etc.

If you are circulated for recall to prison then it is down to probation who decide you have breached your licence conditions and must be returned to prison.