In Oregon, while there is no specific law explicitly named for “ding dong ditching,” the act can still be considered illegal under related statutes, primarily as a form of trespassing or disturbing the peace. Ding dong ditching—ringing someone’s doorbell and fleeing before they answer—may be classified as trespassing if you enter or remain on someone’s property without permission. Oregon law, like many other states, prohibits unauthorized entry or remaining on private property, which means if you go onto a neighbor’s property to ring their doorbell without permission, you can be charged with criminal trespass.
This kind of trespass does not require actual damage to the property; simply entering or remaining on the property without authorization is enough to make it a crime. Additionally, repeated ding dong ditching may lead to charges of disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace, as these acts can upset neighbors and disrupt the normal peaceful use of their property.
If caught, consequences can range from warnings for a first offense to misdemeanor charges for repeat offenses, which may include fines and possibly probation or other penalties. Given the potential for escalating consequences, what may seem like harmless fun can become a serious legal issue, especially if accompanied by damage or continual bothersome actions.
In Oregon, ding dong ditching can be illegal because it likely constitutes criminal trespass and possibly disorderly conduct when done without the homeowner’s permission and especially if done repeatedly. It is advisable to avoid this prank, as legal penalties can apply if neighbors choose to involve law enforcement.
Sources
[1] https://www.pumphreylawfirm.com/blog/is-ding-dong-ditching-as-harmless-as-pranksters-think/
[2] https://law.justia.com/cases/oregon/court-of-appeals/2009/a129669.html
[3] https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/is-it-allowed-to-ding-dong-ditch–5329846.html
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock_down_ginger
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/44smwt/oregon_what_can_you_even_do_about_persistent/
