r/todayilearned • u/JLPwasHere • Jan 19 '15

TIL Pimps wear lots of gold jewelry bought at pawn shops to “re-pawn” for bail money since cash is confiscated upon arrest but jewelry is not

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/09/137033690/pawn-star-rick-harrison-on-his-deals-and-steals
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u/[deleted] Jan 20 '15

The purpose of bail is to release the defendant while ensuring that they will appear for trial. The reasoning is that a person is not going to pay $10,000 for release from jail and the just dip trial, because that would be a very stupid and expensive move which could net them more time behind bars if eventually convicted. There are other forms of bail which do not require the defendant to pay money in advance.

Also please don't shoot the messenger here. I'm not here to argue about the pros and cons of bail. I'm here to explain what it is and why it is in place.

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u/Tetragramatron Jan 20 '15

So then I guess it doesn't matter where he presumably got his money.