Help some NCSU students...
 

Hey guys! So this really big thing happened at my school. The short, 3 students found the password to the NCSU Police Blotter (which is online) - they found the password on an UNSECURE web site...they didn't have to like hack into any computers to find it or anything...so they thought it'd be funny to post some funny things on the blotter...it was all funny, and a big laugh, but not harmful to anyone (other than kinda embarrasing for the Police Station who had the unsecure web page)...well anyway, the police station decided to press charges for hacking (although it was not really hacking) and the three kids are being brought to court, charged with FEDERAL crimes. It has gotten WAY out of hand and can ruin these kids lives. One of their bails was set at $15,000!!! And his family can not afford this, nor the lawyer/court costs...so they are looking for help. If you can donate anything...even a buck, it'd be appreciated...

You can read more about it, see screen shots of the police blotter, donate money, and see what the kids have to say about it by following this link:

NCSU Kids Need Help

I don't know what the hacking law says, but it sounds like if the place was not secure than no one should be in trouble for using it.

Of course, if what they did endangered lives by tieing up police resources, then I can completely understand the police reaction.

It didn't tie up resources at all. The Police Blotter is a publication of past actions that the police have taken (for example: "At 4:15 am, a fire alarm went off in Harrelson Hall, two officers responded and no fire was found, nor were any people present, no foul play suspected."

These kids went in and posted fake things on the blotter...things like:

http://www.thewolfweb.com/photos/00275837.jpg

These things in no way could have been taken seriously and were meant as a joke...it's just sad that now, being charged with a Federal crime, for the rest of their lives, they'll be punished for it when it really didn't hurt anyone.

Drug crimes are the same thing. They don't really hurt anyone but themselves. It's still a crime. It's up to the DA and Judge now. I can't really imagine a jury giving them a very stiff sentence though.

Yeah, but everyone has made such a big deal about it. It's really kinda odd how it was blown up so much

It's a juicy news story. The DA probably wouldn't have cared if your local media folks hadn't picked it up. I really think you should shoot the messanger here.