I believe the sticking point was being labeled a felon, not the jail time. Being a felon in the US is a Big Deal, and pretty much relegates you to permanent low

I believe the sticking point was being labeled a felon, not the jail time. Being a felon in the US is a Big Deal, and pretty much relegates you to permanent lower-classes [0]. Aaron also seemed big on moral integrity, and it's probably hard to reconcile admitting guilt to something you don't believe is morally wrong. "Live free or die" is a phrase with deep roots in our nation's history, for example. 0: from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony#United_States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony#United_States): The consequences convicted felons face in most states include: Disenfranchisement (which the Supreme Court interpreted to be permitted by the Fourteenth Amendment) Exclusion from obtaining certain licenses, such as a visa, or professional licenses required in order to legally operate (making many vocations off-limits to felons) Exclusion from purchase and possession of firearms, ammunition and body armor Ineligibility for serving on a jury Ineligibility for government assistance or welfare, including being barred from federally funded housing