Crichton had been in Mt Eden Prison awaiting trial on charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply due to begin in the High Court at Auckland next week. He has pleaded not guilty.
But Crichton has told the Herald he wants recognition for his role in the safe return of the medals - including a cut in any possible jail time.
"I'm not stupid. I recognised the medals were important to the country. But no one does anything for nothing.
"The general public might see it differently. But I think I'm within my rights to not spend another day in jail. That's being honest, I don't think I should go back to jail."
Police correspondence seen by the Herald in March 2008 shows Crichton was told there was "no doubt" he could expect further leniency if he lived up to his word and got the thieves to return the rest of the medals.
"Should Mr Crichton be successful or largely successful [in returning the medals] ... then he will no doubt be the recipient of further consideration from the courts in the event of his conviction and subsequent sentencing," wrote Detective Inspector Bruce Good.
Mr Good wrote that he was concerned that once bailed Crichton would not be able to get the medals back.
Crichton had been offering the George Cross, but Mr Good said Crichton had to return at least one Victoria Cross.
However, Crichton said the police were now downplaying his role.
"People can say what they want. Facts are facts. I got one medal back. A few weeks later, the rest are returned exactly as I said they would."
He raised the medals-for-bail deal with police through his former defence lawyer Chris Comeskey.
"I don't want the glory. My reasons were solely family orientated. I didn't take the reward. I did it to be with my wife and kids," said Crichton.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann, the police officer in charge of finding the medal thieves, declined to comment. Bruce Northwood, the Crown prosecutor in the drugs trial, also declined to comment.
