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So then gangs or cartel members could just forcibly “offer up” a free citizen, then skip trial while someone they don’t care about sits in jail?

That's how it used to be in Britain. Rich people would send somebody else to prison in their place.

Wow, that's absolutely insane. How did people think that was a good idea?

During the civil war you could get out of being drafted by paying someone to take your place.

Trying to apply today's moral standards to a time centuries ago is a fool's errand.