Seems like the police went a little overboard here.
While traveling, I've stopped by motels that advertise wireless internet and spent a few minutes checking email and Free Republic's latest threads.
Don't we all pay taxes so the libraries can have internet services? And a network at a public library...doesn't seem like theft to me. Sounds like somebody wants to make a big deal out of this. Dorks.
Simple issue. Is the public allowed to use the library's wireless internet or not?
Great point!
Aren't home networks password protected, or are many too lazy or technically challenged to use a password.
He should give back what he stole.
Considering that the bandwidth is from public dollars it isn't unreasonable that anyone within that wireless hotspot be able to use it. The cops may have been a little overzealous.
However, illegal parking, loitering, or other public nuisance seems like a better approach if there is a violation of the local ordinances.
I would like to know what law was broken. Does this mean that scanners are illegal?
It can't be construed as illegal.
To connect, your computer asks permission to connect. The router then indicates whether or not permission is granted.
Make sure the judge understands this.
I guess there is no crime in Palmer, Alaska.
If they told him to go park in a public place.....If he can afford a Dell lap top, and a scanner he should be able to al least afford dial up.
Depends on why he was using it instead of a connection that could be tied back to him.
"The police officer confiscated Tanner's laptop in order to inspect what he may have been downloading, Remaley said."
The case will probably go away if there isn't anything illicit on the machine.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
It's not theft, it's unauthorized access...and I don't know why this kid surrendered his computer BEFORE the police had obtained a search warrant. Correct me if I got the facts wrong.
Seems to me the only thing they could charge him with would be trespassing since they had told him to leave the day before.
This is a serious issue to me. We have a newly elected 26 year old RAT county commissioner who stated on the stand under oath at a election residency hearing in county superior court, (kid lied about where he lived to carpetbag an easy seat), that he had been "piggy-backing" his neighbors wifi signal for 6 months.
He had been challenged after a P.I. followed him for 3 weeks and he never once went to his "apartment" and a utility company representative testified the power usage the kid did not live there. Additionally, after admitting theft of broadband on the stand, he stated he registered to vote at his former high school teachers home with no intention of living there so he could meet the residency regulations. ('06 Berkeley Graduate) Our illustrious RAT county prosecutor won't file charges.
More of these cases we see the better chance the WA State Attorney General will act on the complaint that has been filed.
He should have told the cops he was viewing online gay porn. They would have left him alone, lest they be accused of homophobia...
You think you can break in and read the books when the library is closed?