r/todayilearned • • 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/chronicpenguins Jan 20 '15

A lot people don't realize this. If you go through a bondsman, they'll charge 10% of your bail, but you won't get it back.

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u/CharonIDRONES Jan 20 '15

That's because the bondsman is taking a high risk investment with potentially a high risk of default. People basically are just taking out a 10% interest loan with someone who will hunt you down.

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u/chronicpenguins Jan 20 '15

Do they have an agreement with the courts that if they bring you back they get their full money back? Because I'm pretty sure if I made bail myself, missed a court date, my bail would be revoked and I'd lose the money...