The law was also on the side of the Tunisian president untill he was deposed by the people who had enough. If they did nothing he could had stayed on forever or just past the batton to his son just like Mubbarak had planned to do in Egypt.

I reckon that going to jail is not a happy thought but at least then you can look yourself in the mirror with the satisfaction of not been a coward. Freedom has its price you know..