MIT Students could get 20 years for hacking

I don't usually post things of real importance here, but I couldn't let this pass my attention: The Boston Globe reported this morning that 3 MIT students, caught trying to do a hack at the MIT Faculty Club had been charged with breaking and entering and trespassing. They want to give them 20 years!

But in this case, the three students face up to 20 years in prison if they are convicted of felony charges of breaking and entering and trespassing.

Charged on Oct. 23, Kristina Brown, 19; David Nawi, 29; and Matthew Peterson, 19, are due back in court on Feb. 28, when they will seek to have the charges dismissed.

A quick facebook later and I find I don't really know any of these kids, but that's besides the point. What the fuck is going on here? MIT has always held a "turn a blind eye" approach when it comes to hacks, regardless of the size. Well, hacks that keep within the spirit of hacks: i.e. Don't break shit. Don't kill anyone.

I think that if this goes through, these kids will get more jail time than drug dealers or murderers. I wonder if they found some hash and a dead body with those them...

Update: If you can't get into the Boston Globe site because it is asking you to register and you are too lazy, check this out: BugMeNot.com. ButMeNot.com actually has a lot of login/pass info for sites that ask you to register. I actually hate registering for things like this, since I always forget my login/pass. Check it out, use it, enjoy.