If you had money you brought stocky guards with you and they kept you safe. Other privileges could be bribeb into existence, unless dealing with a particularly patriotic Roman, in which case you just found someone else to bribe. If you were wealthy enough and interested, you could try to become a citizen, or make friends with a patrician and have some of their privileges extended to you(not strictly speaking legally but no one could stop you). Or become close to the emperor and then there is no law over you.
i'm guessing money could "buy" rights if one was a wealthy non-citizen merchant or some such?
If you had money you brought stocky guards with you and they kept you safe. Other privileges could be bribeb into existence, unless dealing with a particularly patriotic Roman, in which case you just found someone else to bribe. If you were wealthy enough and interested, you could try to become a citizen, or make friends with a patrician and have some of their privileges extended to you(not strictly speaking legally but no one could stop you). Or become close to the emperor and then there is no law over you.