Quote:
Originally Posted by KDCat
Actually, it's not. Misdemeanor theft in Illinois requires an intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. They clearly didn't intend to deprive the city of the Nativity scene permanently. If they were my kids, I would hire a lawyer and seek to have the charges dismissed.
I think the Warren County State's Attorney and the city council lack a sense of humor. The students shouldn't have been charged with theft. Disturbing the peace, maybe.
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I'll readily admit I'm not familiar with specifics of Illinois law; I was going with the basic, generic definition of "theft."
I'll also readily admit I don't have lots sympathy for these students if the pranks you describe are common. I have quite a well-developed sense of humor and have pulled more than my share of pranks in my time. If this were an isolated thing, then maybe it's no big deal. But when the pranks end up requiring maintenance crews to waste time (and money) undoing the prank, then I think my sense of humor about the pranks in general would have given out.