Criminal charges for cheating...

At least, that's how this little story (Boston Globe) is being portrayed in the news.  For those of you who haven't heard about this, several students apparently broke into their high school to steal tests.  They are now being charged with misdemeanors but could have easily been charged with felonies.

Of course, the town is divided and everyone has opinions ranging from "It's no big deal." to "They're getting what they deserve."   The disturbing part (to me anyway) is that many feel that the kids are being treated unfairly and that the school's actions (calling the police) are rather harsh.  School officials did say that, had it been a simple case of cheating, it would have been handled internally.  Alas, it was not.  According to police, this is being treated just like any other B&E.  I would even go so far as to say that the students are lucky that the charges aren't as severe as they could be.

Either these people are in denial or it's a very clever campaign to deflect attention away from the fact that these kids are being accused of breaking and entering and maybe theft.  As far as I'm concerned, while the thought of cheating provided the impetus, what they did was a crime and they should be charged accordingly.  What do y'all think?  

08:51 - Mon-24-Sep-2007 - post comment

They're not being charged for cheating -- they're being charged for breaking and entering. WHY they broke and entered is entirely irrelevant.

libertine - 09:16 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

I totally agree with Libertine. Cheating and breaking and entering are two entirely different things. One really has nothing to do with the other. I say they should be charged accordingly.

Lisa - 09:30 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

taser...taser!

birdsnest - 09:32 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

DON'T TAZE ME, BRO !!!!

( And I agree with Libertine and Bobisa... and you )

; - )

Cam - 09:50 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

DON'T TASE ME BRO!

But seriously they get what the deserve.

Somepoet - 09:51 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

Hello. I'm not familiar with this affair, but I agree with the previous comments..

thepsycho(donald113) - 11:18 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

Now there's an idea. Line 'em up and fire away.

Donald: Glad to see you out and about, buddy. Hope you're well.

texican - 01:34 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

Taz those bastards until they piss their pants. Then cart those bastards off to jail like the deserve. Why can't they study like some people? Or be a man and take the failing grade like others?

slayerbarbie - 06:40 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

Throw the book at the little monsters. They committed a real crime here. I rather like this story though - I think it will provide great debate material for my classes tomorrow. I'm curious to see what my own students think of this one.

DeeJay - 07:49 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

The little twits need to learn there are consequences for behavior that causes harm to others & other's property. It's call being called accountable for one's actions. If they get to skate on this one, what will they try next. I think it's BS to coddle rotten little asshats who show contempt for authority like this.

Steal a nickel, steal a dollar - it's still stealing, no matter what the reason. Perhaps they should be neutered, just for the sake of humanity's future, too. God help us if they breed!

LadyVisine - 09:55 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

Ok ... maybe that's a little harsh, but they should understand that what they did is not a harmless prank ... no matter what the reason. They broke into the building and stole something that wasn't theirs.

On the other hand ...
(hey ... somebody here has to be the devil's advocate) ...
doesn't this also make college and high school pranks of stealing mascots (live and inanimate), painting "spirit rocks", etc ... offenses that should be carried out to the letter of the law?

DeeJ ... that should make a good debate there too ... hmmmm Please let us know how it turns out ... :D

womanoffeathers - 09:58 - Mon-24-Sep-2007

This is getting good. I., too, want to know how it goes in your class, Deej. Maybe you'll do a post?

As far as pranks go, I don't see this as a prank. They weren't doing something to show up another school or anything like that. It was something for personal and maybe even monetary gain if they sold copies of the tests to others. Still...that is a very interesting point. i wonder if this will bring rivalry-type activities under scrutiny.

texican - 09:14 - Tue-25-Sep-2007

I find it odd that the article says some people are thinking these rich kids are being picked on.
Sounds like they got a pretty good deal if they ONLY were charged with a misdemeanor and have to pay a fine. I think it was fair. They are not taking the good grade they received away from them just making them have to pay money for it.
Seems fitting for rich kids.

littleMissConfused - 02:13 - Tue-25-Sep-2007

Of course they should be charged! If it were you or me we'd more than likely be sitting in jail...as they should be. And for those who say, "it's no big deal", obviously don't have a problem with people breaking in places and or stealing.

It's hard to believe there's any dispute at all, but in this day of super-sensitivity and the poor little kid syndrome, well, it's not so hard to believe after all.

Rubicon - 05:49 - Thu-11-Oct-2007

baby dont taze me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvB4I...vB4ISd5bsg

thyme - 05:49 - Sat-3-Nov-2007