Ding dong ditching—ringing someone’s doorbell and running away—is not specifically named as a crime in Arizona law. However, this prank can still lead to legal trouble under existing statutes. According to Arizona law, it is illegal to knowingly enter or remain unlawfully on someone’s property after being asked to leave, under A.R.S. § 13-1502. If a homeowner tells you not to come back and you do it again, you could be charged with trespass.
Additionally, repeated doorbell ditching could be considered harassment under A.R.S. § 13-2917, which prohibits “repeatedly committing an act or acts that harass another person.” For example, ringing someone’s doorbell over and over—such as interrupting their sleep—may meet this standard. Both trespass and harassment are misdemeanors in Arizona.
While isolated incidents of ding dong ditching are unlikely to result in criminal charges, repeated or especially disruptive behavior can prompt police involvement and lead to charges. Even if not prosecuted, it may result in warnings or intervention from law enforcement, especially if the behavior disturbs or frightens residents.
While Arizona does not have a law directly targeting ding dong ditch, the act can be prosecuted as trespass or harassment if repeated or done after being warned by a property owner.
Sources
[1] https://www.pumphreylawfirm.com/blog/is-ding-dong-ditching-as-harmless-as-pranksters-think/
[2] https://sc.lawforkids.org/speakup/printable.cfm?id=254&page=5
[3] https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/is-it-allowed-to-ding-dong-ditch–5329846.html
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ksT6lvfGc
[5] https://www.yahoo.com/news/law-roundup-ding-dong-ditch-140600767.html
