Ding dong ditching-ringing someone’s doorbell and running away-is a common prank, but its legal status in Oregon depends on the circumstances.
What Oregon Law Says
- Not Explicitly Illegal: There is no specific Oregon law that outright bans ding dong ditching as a one-time prank. Generally, it is not a crime for someone to walk up to a door, ring the bell, and leave, as this is typical behavior for visitors or solicitors.
- Trespassing: If the property has a “No Trespassing” sign, or if the homeowner has previously told you to stay away, returning to ding dong ditch could be considered criminal trespass.
- Harassment or Disorderly Conduct:
- If the prank is repeated, especially at odd hours or in a way that disturbs the peace, it could rise to the level of harassment or disorderly conduct.
- Persistent or targeted ding dong ditching may allow the homeowner to seek a civil harassment restraining order. Violating such an order is a criminal offense.
- Court Example: In State v. Schoen, a middle-school student repeatedly played ding dong ditch, which was considered disruptive enough to involve the courts.
Potential Consequences
- First-time or Occasional Prank: Likely to be seen as a harmless nuisance, not a crime.
- Repeated or Targeted Behavior: Could result in police involvement, trespassing charges, or restraining orders if it becomes harassment or disturbs the peace.
- Safety Risks: While not strictly a legal issue, ding dong ditching can provoke strong reactions from residents and may put pranksters at risk of confrontation.
Summary Table
| Situation | Legal Status in Oregon |
|---|---|
| One-time prank | Not explicitly illegal |
| Ignoring “No Trespassing” signs | Could be criminal trespass |
| Repeated/harassing behavior | Could be harassment/disorderly conduct |
| Violating restraining order | Criminal offense |
Ding dong ditching is not specifically illegal in Oregon if done occasionally, but it can become a crime if it involves trespassing, repeated harassment, or violation of a restraining order. Persistent or disruptive pranks can lead to legal trouble, so it’s best to avoid this behavior.
Sources:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/44smwt/oregon_what_can_you_even_do_about_persistent/
- https://law.justia.com/cases/oregon/court-of-appeals/2009/a129669.html
- https://vistacriminallaw.com/doorbell-ding-dong-ditching/
- https://www.pumphreylawfirm.com/blog/is-ding-dong-ditching-as-harmless-as-pranksters-think/