If the kid's 16 years old, he's a juvenile anyway. That means the little cherub won't have to do adult time or have a record after he turns 18, anyway.

 

The feds just love to keep the prison industry booming! USA has more people imprisoned per capita than any nation on earth. Home of the free.... ?

 

I think the punishment is too harsh. I agree with you guys on the intent thing. If a guy hacks into the trafic light systems and turn all the lights green, he's probably going to get somebody killed. For that, he should go to prison. But if a kid hack into the school system to modify his grades then he should be punished, but life in prison? The government should hire hacker to work for the NSA, then everyone would be happy.

You know how there are hackers and cracker, wouldn't it be cool if there were wackers?

 

Odd considering how hard it is to actually convict someone of a crime in this country. The last number I saw showed a 17% solve and convict rate for crimes.