In New Mexico, ding dong ditch—the prank of ringing someone’s doorbell and running away before they answer—is not explicitly addressed by a specific state law. However, this activity can potentially run afoul of general legal statutes if certain conditions are met.
Trespassing laws in New Mexico make it illegal to knowingly enter or remain on someone else’s property without permission. If a person steps onto private property—even briefly to ring a doorbell—without consent, they could be charged with trespassing. Trespassing is considered a civil offense in New Mexico, but it can also have legal consequences if the act is repeated, causes distress, or if the property owner has communicated that entry is not allowed.
Harassment and disorderly conduct are additional laws that could apply, especially if the prank is repeated or targets a specific individual, causing emotional distress or fear. While New Mexico’s harassment laws are primarily aimed at protecting individuals from threatening or intimidating behavior, a pattern of unwanted pranks like ding dong ditch could potentially be interpreted as harassment or disorderly conduct, depending on the circumstances and how the local authorities view the behavior.
Ding dong ditch is not specifically illegal under New Mexico law, but entering someone’s property without permission could result in a trespassing charge. If the prank is repeated or causes distress, it could escalate to harassment or disorderly conduct, depending on the situation. To avoid legal trouble, it is best to respect others’ property and privacy.
Sources
[1] https://www.thedominguezlawfirm.com/blog/are-you-responsible-if-an-intruder-is-hurt-on-your-property-in-new-mexico/
[2] https://www.nmlegis.gov/publications/anti_harassment_policy.pdf
[3] https://www.lawlegalhub.com/is-it-illegal-to-ding-dong-ditch/
[4] https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/is-it-allowed-to-ding-dong-ditch–5329846.html
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ksT6lvfGc
