Several hundred wanted criminals are expected at a church in Mansfield early next month – to turn themselves in to face justice. The Attorney General’s office is launching its first “fugitive safe surrender” program on the first weekend of October.
Attorney General Mike DeWine says accused people can hope for leniency if they voluntarily show up, and law enforcement can get some relief.
DeWine says, "We’re talking about misdemeanors, low level felonies, nonviolent offenders. But there are tens of thousands of these outstanding warrants, fugitives from justice, all over the state of Ohio. By having so many of these people with outstanding warrants, it creates a very dangerous situation for the police."
DeWine says police officers, sheriff’s deputies and troopers fear people who are wanted on outstanding warrants might not act rationally if they’re pulled over. The fugitive safe surrender program was run by the US Attorney in the Northern District of Ohio until federal funding was cut. This is the first time it will be run by DeWine’s office.