If you miss a scheduled court appearance when you’re out on state cash bail or surety bail, the judge can issue a failure to appear (FTA) warrant. The warrant gives law enforcement officers the authority to make an arrest, but the police won’t actively pursue you. That explains why there were 38,594 active FTA warrants in CT at the end of 2023, even though judges only issued 20,949 that year.

Unlike law enforcement officers, Connecticut bail bond agents search for clients who miss court appearances. Accountability protects the accused and law enforcement and is critical for public safety. When the state releases someone on its own newly implemented state cash bail option, defendants who missed court are often found and arrested in the commission of another crime.

Learn more about the dangers of being rearrested on a failure to appear (FTA) warrant and how to protect yourself with a CT bail bondsman.

Rearrests and Dangerous Police Chases

Law enforcement officers typically catch people with FTA warrants during traffic stops and other routine encounters. Unfortunately, people released on cash bail or percentage option tend to miss court. Those found with outstanding warrants often try to flee and evade police, putting themselves, officers, and innocent bystanders at risk.

Nicholas Gambardella provides the perfect example of this. Gambardella had four outstanding FTA warrants when he encountered East Haven police officers in a parking lot in 2023. He took off in his car, crashed the vehicle, and fled on foot. Police officers fired three shots, but fortunately, the bullets didn’t strike Gambardella or any bystanders.

Others aren’t nearly as fortunate during police chases. Connecticut police chases resulted in 16 deaths between 2017-2021, and many more people were injured. Far too often, the injured parties are innocent victims who weren’t involved in the chase.

Bail enforcement agents don’t engage in high-speed chases or other dangerous tactics. Instead, they use strategies to de-escalate situations and bring people into custody without incident.

Use of Force During Rearrests

Even if the accused goes into custody without a fight, there’s still a risk that the police will use unnecessary force. Excessive force was reported in just over 1% of the arrests made in 2019-2020, but it’s a much larger problem in some cities.

Almost three-fourths of Connecticut’s use of force complaints were filed against the following departments:

• Bridgeport
• Waterbury
• Connecticut State Police
• New Haven
• Hartford

Because police encounters can be so dangerous, friends and family members occasionally try to bring the accused back to law enforcement. Even though their hearts are in the right places, they could be charged with kidnapping, so this isn’t a sound solution. The state cash bail alternative, makes you to be your own bondsman. You are liable to pay the full bond amount if the defendant fails to appear in court however you cannot legally make this person return to court.

You can stay within the law while ensuring accountability by using a CT bail bond agency. Agencies use bail enforcement agents to track down clients who miss court appearances. This is done in a way to ensure the safety of the public and the involved parties.

The Long-term Impact of Juvenile Arrests

Juveniles accounted for 6.2% of Connecticut’s arrests in 2022. Many of the arrested children faced serious charges, such as arson, assault, auto theft, and murder. Children charged with major offenses often have to post bail to leave custody, and the judge can issue FTA warrants if they miss any court appearances.

Being arrested is traumatic for children and can cause long-term emotional issues and shame. The impact worsens if police use force during the arrest. Children who experience police violence are at risk of emotional, social, and cognitive trauma.

You can prevent additional trauma by using a CT Bail Agent instead of paying the state cash percentage. Connecticut Bail Agents understand the emotional and social impact of entering the legal system and provide their clients with the necessary support. This is true even when bringing a juvenile client in after fleeing bond.

Public Safety and State Cash Bail

Over 75% of the 38,594 active FTA warrants at the end of 2023 were related to felony charges. Most of those alleged felons remain unaccounted for, allowing them to commit crimes.

Sadly, many use the state cash bail opportunity to their advantage endangering the safety of communities.

For example, police arrested Barry Mason and two others for the murder of Jose Virola in December 2023. Mason, a Waterbury resident, had several outstanding FTA warrants at the time of the murder.

A similar situation happened the previous year in Waterbury when Clarence Rhodes was arrested for murdering Xavier Pellot. Even though he had three active FTA warrants, Rhodes remained free until he was charged with the murder.

These are just two examples of the numerous violent crimes committed by people with outstanding warrants, making bail bonds an attractive option. Bail bonds reduce the crime rate and keep communities safe.

Get Support and Accountability with a CT Bail Bond Agency

3-D Bail Bonds offers fast and professional bail bond services in Connecticut. Unlike state cash bail options, we protect your investment and bring accountability to the judicial system. We specialize in fast release and have bail bond agents available at all times. Bail though surety in exchange for a fee is the most successful form of jail release. While state cash bail requires only cash, we accept a variety of payments. Contact 3-D Bail Bonds at (860) 247-2245 or (800) 570-5544 for a free consultation. We can answer your questions, provide resources, and secure bail for you or your loved one. Then, we’ll continue to be a trusted resource throughout your legal proceedings.