Ding dong ditching—ringing someone’s doorbell and running away—is not specifically named as a crime in Illinois law, but it can become illegal depending on the circumstances. Under Illinois statutes, entering someone’s property without permission can be prosecuted as criminal trespass (720 ILCS 5/21-3), especially if the property is marked with “No Trespassing” signs or the homeowner has previously told you to stay away. If the prank is repeated, targeted, or causes significant annoyance or fear, it may also be considered disorderly conduct (720 ILCS 5/26-1), which covers behavior that disturbs the peace or alarms others.
If ding dong ditching is done as a one-time, harmless prank, it is unlikely to result in criminal charges. However, if it is repeated, causes emotional distress, or is part of a pattern of harassment, it can lead to legal consequences such as fines, community service, or even a criminal record. There are real-world cases in Illinois where repeated ding dong ditching led to lawsuits for emotional distress and financial harm.
While ding dong ditching is often seen as a minor prank, it can be illegal in Illinois if it involves trespassing, harassment, or disturbing the peace, especially if it is repeated or causes harm to the homeowner.
Sources
[1] https://www.lawlegalhub.com/is-it-illegal-to-ding-dong-ditch/
[2] https://www.plotnicklaw.com/illinois-man-says-teens-games-of-ding-dong-ditch-caused-emotional-distress-weight-loss-financial-problems-lawsuit.html
[3] https://www.legalreach.com/blog/is-ding-dong-ditching-illegal-it%E2%80%99s-more-serious-than-you-might-think
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ksT6lvfGc
[5] https://vistacriminallaw.com/doorbell-ding-dong-ditching/
