Broke Guy Offers Nikes in Lieu of Bail, Chill Judge Says "OK"
If you've followed the news lately, it can be tough to maintain faith in America's courts, but one judge in Massachusetts is doing his best to renew the public's trust, one fly pair of kicks at a time.
This week, Framingham District Court judge and presumed hypebeast Douglas Stoddart accepted a pair of Nikes as collateral from a man unable to present monetary bail, the result of a quick brainstorming session.
"I'll give you a chance to be creative," Stoddart told Jason Duval, jailed over $450 in outstanding court fees. "If you can come up with a creative idea to convince me that you'll come back, I'll work with you."
After a brief break, Duval offered to trade his fresh Christmas sneakers—"valued at around $85"—for his freedom.
"OK," said Stoddart, "we'll take them."
Other forms of bail that Chill Judge probably would have accepted: Supreme crewnecks, Beats by Dre, limited edition vinyl collectables.
