This is the way society has decided to punish those who violate the law, and the East Lansing City Council has no right to take the law into their own hands by publicly humiliating the students. Using people as guinea pigs in an experiment of right and wrong is more of an inhuman act than that committed more than a week ago. American law attempts to inflict standard penalties for those who commit crimes. Those found guilty of a crime have the right to be punished by the courts, not a city council that believes the law did not do enough. Neither the council's constituents nor the American people have bestowed upon the council, a body elected not as law enforcement officials, the power to discipline a group of people.
Due process is an important part of the American justice system.
Citizens rely on this system to punish and rehabilitate those found guilty of a crime. The council, by bypassing the system, is stealing many of the rights inherent to 200 years of American customs. If the city council takes it upon themselves to violate two centuries of standard law, then much of what we rely on as citizens has been washed away. The actions of the council are reminiscent of Megan's Law, a law intended to notify people if a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. While the intentions may appear benevolent, the law further punishes the offenders.