I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’d take the trust hit over the legal mess any day. Maybe it’s just me being a bit too practical, but I’ve seen what even a “small” fine can do to someone’s budget. A buddy of mine got caught up in some paperwork mix-up—nothing criminal, just a mistake—and the fine wiped out his savings for months. He still jokes about eating ramen for a summer.
Trust is messy, sure, but it can come back over time if you keep showing up and doing right. Legal stuff? That sticks with you in ways you don’t always see coming. Insurance hikes, background checks, all that hassle... it adds up. People might side-eye you for a while, but at least you’re not dealing with bills and red tape on top of it all.
Maybe it depends on how much you value peace of mind versus reputation. For me, I’ll take the awkward conversations over an empty wallet and a record any day.
Funny you mention insurance—after I restored my old Mustang, one missed DMV letter meant I was fined and my insurance doubled for a year. That hit way harder than a few cold shoulders from the car club. Curious, has anyone ever actually lost a job over a trust issue, or is it usually just awkwardness?