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Judge accepts sneakers instead of bail from Framingham man

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A Framingham man couldn't post bail, so a judge allowed him to pay with shoes.

Jason Duval, 39, told Judge Douglas Stoddart that he didn't have money to post bail Friday, but he would be willing to use his new Nike sneakers as payment, according to the Metro West Daily News. He got the kicks as a present for Christmas and said they're worth about $85.

“OK, we'll take them,” Stoddart reportedly said.

Duval was arrested at his apartment Thursday on a warrant charging him with possession of a class B and class C substance as well as driving to endanger. The charges were supposed to be dismissed after he paid court fees, but he never sent in the $450. He said going through his divorce created financial troubles for him and he didn't have any money. The judge said he didn't want to release him without bail because he didn't believe that Duval would ever pay.

The judge suggested that Duval could go to jail for a few days to do away with the court costs, but Duval didn't like that option.

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

That's when Duval offered his shoes for payment and Stoddart accepted. Duval can have his sneakers back after he pays $100.