[Pearls Before Swine]

Why should she allow herself to be bribed? Can she not sue him civilly for a lot more?

To put it crudely, one in the hand is worth two in the bush. Also, it may be worth quite a bit to him to avoid the civil trial and to prepay rather than fight it through. He'll avoid two high-priced lawyer sequences.

[burroak]

I understand what you are saying, but he is not the one to decide if there is a civil suit or not.

I guess it’s the price.