Posted on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:44 a.m.
Two U-M law students arrested after burglary
By Lee Higgins
Two University of Michigan Law School students were arrested early Friday morning after they were accused of breaking into a conference room at the Lawyers Club at 551 South State St., university police said.
The men, ages 28 and 23, were released after the break-in that was reported at about 1:50 a.m., police spokeswoman Diane Brown said.
Brown said someone called police after finding that the door to the conference room had been kicked in and the men were inside.
The men were released as charges are pending.
Comments
Old Salt
Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 2:12 a.m.
I hope they have a good lawyer,they should be suspended from school,but they will on;y get a slap on the wrist
russellr
Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 12:43 a.m.
I guess they hadn't studied the part about breaking and entering!!
tinkerbell
Wed, Feb 22, 2012 : 3:11 a.m.
It reminds me of the little boy who got caught stealing. His excuse was that they hadn't gotten to that commandment yet in Sunday School.
lute1812
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
Both should be banned/expelled from the UofM. Their UofM transcripts should reflect the arrest (and conviction) for any future schools that request their university records. Clearly an intentional act, like biting the hand that feeds them, because any speculative claim like 'we were sleepwalking' is inexcusable. We randomly here of athletes that are dropped from the school's athletic programs, especially after a conviction, and the same should hold true in this case because it was a planned crime against the university. The university is great for building integrity! Haaaaa-ha. Wait for the late-night-comics' (Leno & Letterman to name a few) depictions of this incident in their 'headline' segments. If UofM doesn't expel these individuals that demonstrates a lackluster mark for the school's credibility. At least there wasn't any 'kiddie porn' on their computers, to the best of our knowledge -- I guess one has to be in the UofM medical school for that act!
Mike
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 5:13 a.m.
The title is legally incorrect. There are currently no facts to suggest this was a burglary.
a2citizen
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
No facts that the police have published... <a href="http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/burglary-definition.html" rel='nofollow'>http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/burglary-definition.html</a> <a href="http://www.legal-explanations.com/definitions/burglary.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.legal-explanations.com/definitions/burglary.htm</a> <a href="http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/cjppd/cjresearch/stf/oc/presentations/20070910burglarystatutesmemooffense.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/cjppd/cjresearch/stf/oc/presentations/20070910burglarystatutesmemooffense.pdf</a> <a href="http://www.micrstats.state.mi.us/MICR/Definitions.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://www.micrstats.state.mi.us/MICR/Definitions.aspx</a>
Robert Honeyman
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 4:59 a.m.
a great example of the unintended consequences resulting from tying one on ...
genetracy
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2:17 a.m.
They are acting like a couple of attornies already. Putting themselves above the laws the rest of us have to follow.
Mike
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
And who do you think drafted those laws protecting your rights? Who do you think enforces them and develops them over time? Who do you think adjudicates them? Or did God just send down all those opinions and statutes over the years?
liekkio
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
@ MIke: "attorneys are the only reasons you have any rights in the first place". Really? Somehow I thought the reason we have attorneys is that we have rights and laws, not the other way around.
Mike
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 5:15 a.m.
You realize that attorneys are the only reasons you have any rights in the first place, right? Also, it looks like they have to follow the laws too, since they were arrested and are now being charged.
RoboLogic
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.
For the first time in history of A2.com... I like all comments on this story... (To this point).
ranger007
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.
I have to agree ...gotten a few good laughs
alfonso
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:30 a.m.
Sounds like they are well on their way to becoming insurance defense lawyers.
ypsicat
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:21 a.m.
Cream of the cream.
u812
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
all will be forgiven since they were not trying to start a union.
Roadman
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.
@a2citizen: The headline is not correct since the crime at burglary requires an intent to do an illicit act once inside the structure and that is not alleged here. In certain states the enumerated illicit acts are any felony, in other states, intent to commit any larceny. Some definitions require the intent to commit a larceny. The elements of the crime of burglary vary from state-to-state as adopted by the respewctive legislatures. @a2Brute: I believe the decision of any law student to finance her legal education via solicitation is immature as it is the product of undeveloped decision-making capabilities.
a2citizen
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 10:50 p.m.
Well road, good luck defending them in court.
UtrespassM
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.
To have an internship in jail as part of their Criminal Justice study.
djm12652
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 9:06 p.m.
Hope they both excelled in Moot Court....
DanAA
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 9 p.m.
It is said "He who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client", but now they can defend each other and thus avoid this dilemna.
The Black Stallion3
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
I am sure they were just practicing and studying for their exams.
justcurious
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
"Brown said someone called police after finding that the door to the conference room had been kicked in and the men were inside." It would be interesting to know what was in there that they wanted so bad. These are not 18 year olds.
UtrespassM
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 7:36 p.m.
How abount steal a garage door opener remoter from your to be ex-, then enter the house without notice.
simply amazed
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 8:54 p.m.
LOL. Not to make light of your situation, but my ex did the same thing and came over to do laundry while I was at work. After 3 times of changing locks because he kept taking the kids' key, I switched to a programmable door lock. Should have done that to begin with.
Ricardo Queso
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.
"Nixon made me do it!"
Mick52
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
I'll bet they said, "I know my rights"
las3rjock
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6:32 p.m.
Barristers Society? <a href="http://abovethelaw.com/2010/03/michigan-law-secret-society-openly-mocked/" rel='nofollow'>http://abovethelaw.com/2010/03/michigan-law-secret-society-openly-mocked/</a>
nickcarraweigh
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
Time for an agonizing career path reappraisal for these two young men. Will their future be on Wall Street, or Pennsylvania Ave.?
smokeblwr
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
Monroe Street is just full of future white collar criminals of America what-with the Business School and the Law School in such close cahoots.
SMC
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6 p.m.
Do they get extra credit for this?
Roadman
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
The term "burglary" denotes an intent to steal at the time of illegal entry into a structure. There is no allegation here that the suspects had any intent to steal or do anything illegal once entering. Given the facts alleged, the Prosecutor should likely bring a misdemeanor trespass or illegal entry charge. Does remind me of the Watergate Hotel caper in some respects. This is another example of allegations of immature conduct by U-M law students. Almost as bad as the soliciting case brought against a female U-M law student a few years ago who was trying to defray tuition costs.
James Socrates
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 1:29 a.m.
There is an enormous difference between imaturity and criminal action. Getting drunk and being arrested for urinating in public is imature. Breaking and entering with the INTENT to commit Burglary is a Felony. Lawyers AND law students have to hold themselves to a higher standard then the public because they have the ability to destroy or protect their clients/publics lives and liberties. Its why I get a bit upset when a persons grades and scores are promoted above a persons character. Its what is wrong with our legal education system. Its that although I love U of M law, It cares too much about ability and not enough about character. I wish it let in more "good" law students and fewer "smart ones."
Roadman
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
@Smokeblwr: See the December 15, 2008 article by staff reporter Nicole Aber of the Michigan Daily. Here's the link: <a href="http://www.michigandaily.com/content/crime/university-professor-law-student-plead-guilty-sex-case" rel='nofollow'>www.michigandaily.com/content/crime/university-professor-law-student-plead-guilty-sex-case</a>
a2citizen
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
Mick I found "burglary" in Michigan law...on the Michigan State Police Homepage no less (see the 4th link above). <a href="http://www.micrstats.state.mi.us/MICR/Definitions.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://www.micrstats.state.mi.us/MICR/Definitions.aspx</a>
Mick52
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
The word "burglary" should not be used. Try finding it in Michigan law. The offenses are listed as breaking and entering, unlawful entry, home invasion, etc., but not burglary. There is also a charge of entering without breaking. Breaking does not mean you have to bust the door down, it means you have to use some, any force to get an obstruction out of the way to get in, like open an unlocked door or window. This if the door is standing wide open you are entering without breaking. The intent of the people found in an area illegally determines the level of offense. Intent of larceny or any other felony can justify a charge of breaking and entering. The skill of the investigator to determine the intent is very important to determine the proper charge.
a2 Brute?
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
Roadman, do you really believe your last paragraph? " ...immature conduct....soliciting..." Prostitution is "immature conduct"!!!??? At what point in life do you think a person should be responsible for their own decisions? 18? 28? 45?
a2citizen
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.
A2.com headline is legally correct. Burglary DOES NOT require the intent to steal. I assume you did not go to law school... <a href="http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/burglary-definition.html" rel='nofollow'>http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/burglary-definition.html</a> <a href="http://www.legal-explanations.com/definitions/burglary.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.legal-explanations.com/definitions/burglary.htm</a> <a href="http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/cjppd/cjresearch/stf/oc/presentations/20070910burglarystatutesmemooffense.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/cjppd/cjresearch/stf/oc/presentations/20070910burglarystatutesmemooffense.pdf</a> <a href="http://www.micrstats.state.mi.us/MICR/Definitions.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://www.micrstats.state.mi.us/MICR/Definitions.aspx</a>
smokeblwr
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.
What was this soliciting case you reference? It might be relevant to my interests. Could you post a link?
RJA
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:53 p.m.
Wow! Law students?? Curious now as to how this is can come clean in the wash. Ahhh...dirty laundry!
John of Saline
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
No, no, you wait until you pass the bar to steal from people. Then you just overbill. Amateurs.
smokeblwr
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.
Normally I'd make a joke here, but I don't fool around with lawyers. They have special powers.
djm12652
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 9:07 p.m.
wonder if alcohol was involved? either imbibed or to be imbibed....
Enso
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:45 p.m.
Future politicians.
shutthefrtdoor
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
...and now they will have the opportunity to defend themselves in court. That's putting mommy & daddy's money to good use. What were they thinking?
Superior Twp voter
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
Ouch! That arrest record is gonna hurt.