Broke Man Without Bail Money Gave The Judge His Nike Sneakers To Avoid Jail Time

It’s called thinking on your feet—a man in Framingham, MA was able to avoid jail time by giving the judge his fresh pair of Nikes.

According to the Metro West Daily News, a man named Jason Duval was arrested recently on charges related to possession of a class B substance. The charges were supposed to be dropped after a payment of $450 in court fees. Duval wasn’t able to make the payment, claiming that his ongoing divorce prevented him from sending in the money.

Judge Douglas Stoddart gave Duval a second option: he could go to jail, and avoid paying the charges. Duval declined. Judge Stoddart didn’t want to let Duval off without paying the court fees, because he didn’t think Duval would ever send in the money. So, he came up with another option.


“I’ll give you a chance to be creative,” Stoddart told Duval. “If you can come up with a creative idea to convince me that you’ll come back, I’ll work with you.”

Duval told the judge that while he didn’t have the money for bail, he could use his new Nike sneakers in lieu of cash. He told the court that the sneakers, which he received as a present for 
Christmas, are worth $85.

“OK, we’ll take them,” said Stoddart.

Once Duval pays $100 he’ll be allowed to retrieve his new sneakers.