If you threaten the recipients family or the property then charges can be higher. The drawback of this is that potential victims may not be favorably disposed to answering a call emanating from an ID blocked number. If you are convicted of prank calls for the first time, it is likely that you get away with just a warning. If the person is convicted, they could be looking at spending years in prison. MorphVOX Pro can be used to create virtual voices using advanced voice-learning technology, allowing users to sound like anything they choose. A Class 4 felony is punishable by one to three years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. You can record yourself speaking and then play it back with a new sound, or send it as a message using iMessage or other popular messaging services. Through these portals, you can select a default personal greeting message to be used for incoming calls and also record specific personalized greetings for different business-related contacts, such as customers and vendors. However, a practical joke here and there should be fine. In short, the answer depends on the number of calls youve made and why you made the call. WebState Legislation. According to the New York Penal Code, sending someone harassing, annoying, or threatening text messages or calls is considered a form of criminal harassment, also known as aggravated harassment in the second degree. You should explain some of the measures you have taken to report a prank caller such as informing the police and your phone service provider, as well as filing a complaint with the FCC. The new law passed the Illinois General Assembly unanimously and takes effect Jan. 1, 2011. If pursued as a misdemeanor, convictions carry up to: If pursued as a felony, a conviction would carry up to: A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). Anyone convicted of making a criminal threat faces a substantial time in jail or prison. If it appears that your calls are becoming unwelcome or annoying, then it is best to take a step back and consider whether additional contact with this person would constitute harassment. There is new software evolving every day which allows people to share their prank calls and bring it to a wider audience. The primary technique to try is mimicry. How to resize or increase Bootcamp Partition without deleting Windows. On top of vandalism charges, if a person is injured, or their property is damaged, this hot stinky prank can result in an embarrassing blemish on a person's criminal record. Sending harassing or offensive text messages with the intention of causing physical harm or to incite fear and terror is considered a form of stalking and can be punishable by law. A prank call gone wrong could easily leave someone with a misdemeanor or even a felony! Now, if you threaten someone day after day by making stupid calls late at night then you are surely violating the rules of the land. People - especially children and teenagers--have been making "prank calls" since telephones were invented. When the call is forwarded with the objective of threatening the recipient. There are multiple applications available for changing your voice from male to female. Obnoxious calling is tolerated In most cases. Our team is experienced enough to deliver informative and engaging pieces of content. Required fields are marked *. Harassing is illegal. Instead of simply matching their accent, your goal should be to match the specific nuances that make up the persons voice. The recordings of prank calls became quite popular and traded among sound engineers, musicians, and other media traders in America starting from the later part of the 1970s. An act of verbal harassment may lead to being arrested when the harasser makes repeated remarks that constitute verbal abuse. For a while now there have been several internet radio stations with programs for prank calls. Copyright 2023 Shouse Law Group, A.P.C. Heres a look at a few ways your prank calls could potentially get you arrested: Harassment. Depending on what the prank call to 911 consists of, the severity of the punishment can change depending on your state. The answer would be Yes & No. Additionally, making prank orders over the phone can lead to liability. As the jurisdiction changes, laws that make prank calls illegal also get changed. Chicago 815-787-5000Elmhurst 630-782-2000Dekalb 312-997-2700, On Behalf of Richard F. Blass & Associates, LLC | Aug 14, 2018 | Firm News. Governor Pat Quinn has signed a bill into law to deter individuals from placing false 9-1-1 calls by increasing penalties for fake 9-1-1 offenses. When you make repeated calls to annoy the recipient or any other person. Some of the scenarios where prank phone calls are considered illegal are as follows:-. To disseminate the joke, callers have to record the conversation with the recipient, normally without the recipients knowledge. However, the offense and the penalties would increase to Class A misdemeanor if the offender possesses prior felony or harassment convictions. Making prank calls can become dangerous as it can be considered an annoyance and a For more creative fun, you can even combine multiple effects together to create completely unique sounds. The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act, or TRACED Act, increases fines on spam robocallers from $1,500 to as much as $10,000 States such as Illinois, Indiana, and Maryland also have specific laws that cover communication harassment. State and federal laws prohibit this type of conduct. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is not only doubt but a general awareness question that you must know correctly. Who Is Most Likely To Get Custody Of A Child. California law also makes it a crime to make criminal threats (Penal Code 422) against someone else. It is important to be aware of any local laws and regulations that may govern the recording of others in a public setting. Depending on the phone you have and service provider, you may have various options available. Yes, it is possible to change the voice for incoming calls. This site is protected by It can also be considered illegal if you maintain disorderly conduct. make repeated calls in order to annoy or harass the recipient. Required fields are marked *. Be aware that this recording of WebDifferent state laws deem prank calling to be illegal if they are made intentionally to annoy, harass, or threaten the other person. code or county). Yes, text harassment can be a crime in New York, depending on the specific nature of the texts. Each of these apps offers a variety of features and options for altering your voice to achieve whatever sound you want. In Virginia, if an individual, through a phone call or text message, utters obscenities, uses vulgar language, or threatens the person they are talking to may be charged with harassment. Your email address will not be published. Yes in certain scenarios, it can make you fall into a trap as many countries do not differentiate between prank-calling individuals and businesses. For instance, Mike makes a prank call to a local pizzeria and orders 10 pizzas to drop at Joes. Prank calling can constitute harassment in certain situations. Contact us. In this section, we offer solutions for clearing up your prior record. about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. In most cases making the prank orders over the call lead to serious liability. Nonetheless, many prank callers like to record their conversations in the hopes of catching a funny exchange to share with others. Convictions for these offenses carry up to: Callers can also be held liable for the costs of the emergency response. Copyright 2022, Thomson Reuters. So, next time you think about prank calling someone, learning what types of prank calls might get you in trouble might have you rethinking your decision. A Beginners Guide, What Is A Personal Injury Law? WebMe and a few buddies used to sometimes prank call people. Whether the prank calls contain mocking, hate speech, threat, or harassment, be aware that this recorded call can be the reason for some harsh felony charges against you. What's the worst that could happen? Violations of the law due to the Misdeamenors in California is a punishable offense its consequences are as follows: Read More About: Posting Or Sharing Explicit Photos Of Someone Without That Persons Permission Is Sexual Harassment. If you make a prank call 911. He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. However, prank phone calls made to businesses can lead to liability for any fake orders that are made. Making false calls to 911 is a crime, and, now, that crime carries stricter penalties in Illinois. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. New Jerseys Abortion Laws: A Closer Look. Wiretapping is when you record a phone conversation with someone without their consent. Some prank calls get criminalized in several jurisdictions. WebIs prank calling illegal Yes, it is illegal. And Its Uses, Benefits, Review. If the call is made with the intention to harass someone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The, These types of actions are not at all acceptable at the time of making a call in many states. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. The level of customization and accuracy offered by MorphVOX Pro makes it one of the most realistic voice changers available today. Recording a prank phone call without the recipients consent or knowledge, therefore, can amount to the crime of wiretapping.6. Please complete the form below and we will contact you momentarily. Is this a thing? Then the first name which comes to my mind is the name of California. Remember one thing that making a prank is acceptable but harassing someone in the name of making a prank is not at all acceptable in the eyes of law. Although making prank calls to friends or family might not result in reports to the police, if you're going to prank call strangers, or people who might not laugh along with you after learning the truth, you could actually get in legal trouble. Finally, you can help educate your friends and family about steps they can take to protect themselves from prank calls. Try to match their speech speed, volume and accent. Additionally, it includes an API that allows users to integrate the software into their own applications. Lets face it. Children in the United States learn about the importance of calling 911 from an early age. Definitely recommend! Voicemod is a tool for changing and manipulating audio with real-time effects, and it is currently only available for Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. Welch Food Inc. Construction workers usually work in challenging conditions on construction sites that often are dangerous. Prank calls can remain fun as long as they do not exceed certain boundaries. The line between a somewhat obnoxious prank call and a harassing prank call is thin. DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. This legislation comes after Kankakee County Sheriffs Deputy Dave Stukenborg was seriously injured in a car accident when responding to a prank call made to 9-1-1. They were so pleasant and knowledgeable when I contacted them. Additionally, if a person has asked the caller to stop making phone calls and they continue to do so, this could also be interpreted as harassment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. It is a misdemeanor under California Penal Code Section 148.3 for any person to willfully use the 911 system for any purpose other than reporting an emergency. If you have queries like in what states is prank calling illegal. The moment you receive a prank call, it is advisable that you hang up as quickly as possible. I have been charged with harassing someone by phone calls or text. Depending on the app, some offer more flexible and/or more advanced options than others. However, depending upon your jurisdiction, other laws like laws prohibiting disorderly conduct, wiretapping, and even hate crimes may apply. It is also vital to consider state laws. Prank calls can be incredibly annoying and hurtful, depending on the context. Additionally, other pranks that involve defacing or damaging property, whether intentionally or accidentally, can still result in arrest and criminal charges. Contact us. Californias wiretapping law, Penal Code 631 PC, makes California a 2-party consent state. Raed More: Is It Illegal To Open Someone Elses Mail? Generally speaking, repeated phone calls, phone calls without any clear purpose, or phone calls that involve threatening language or behavior may be considered to be harassment. In case of any queries, please write to us at the following email address [emailprotected] and wed be happy to answer at our earliest. While siblings may not call the police, strangers, and cops, might. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. The police have the power to seize phones and other equipment used for making nuisance calls if they want to investigate further. Making false statements or accusations intending to hold the victim up to public contempt is also a form of texting harassment that can be punishable in court. Criminal pranks may be a case of bomb threats to telephone harassment. While some swatting incidents are state crimes, others involve the federal courts. But for a prank call to be considered disorderly conduct, it would require the judge or police to determine. WebPrank calls are illegal in most states. Terms of Service apply. People - especially children and teenagers--have been making "prank calls" since telephones were invented. It is a felony if someone is injured or dies as a result of emergency service response to a false call. In Nevada, making annoying phone calls are not actually prohibited, but under Nevada Revised Statute 201.255, making a telephone call with the intent to annoy is punishable by up to six months in prison and/or up to $1,000 in fines. California is one of those states. And finally, if you harass or cause an offense to a person over the phone either by the things you say or the manner with which you do it could also be an offense. Most people dont see an issue with a harmless prank call, whether its to your favorite local restaurant, another business, or a classmate. Sometimes, teenagers will record a prank call because the joke is funny or because they want to remember the other persons reaction, but this can be dangerous depending on where they live. Bomb threats are an automatic illegal offense in the United States. Depending on the platform, the apps can be either free or paid, with the paid versions often offering more features. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location, (city, There are ways such calls can be traced too. We will explore this and other related matters in this piece today. However, its immature and childish. But, prank calls and practical jokes can seriously send you behind bars. 5 Places You Cant Miss. In Virginia, if an individual, through a phone call or text message, utters obscenities, uses vulgar Try to avoid these types of charges as they can be damaging to your image in society. This means that a call can be taped if one of the two parties in the call consent to the call to be taped. Many prank phone calls are done as a joke. If you are caught engaging in prank calling, you can get arrested. For example, a person could be found liable for harassment in New York if they post offensive or derogatory comments about another person or group on social media. Learn more prank calls to emergency response numbers like 911, threaten the recipient, the recipients family, or the recipients property, or. You can find yourself under arrest. They apparently never get old as there are oodles of prank phone call apps across the App Store. This issue extended the procedural safeguards which are required in a juvenile court even further thus giving juveniles the rights that are similar to those of adults charged with a crime. Here's a look at a few ways your prank calls could potentially get you arrested: Harassment. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'remodelormove_com-box-3','ezslot_3',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-box-3-0');Prank calls are illegal in most states. Still, many teenagers tap the calls with the motive of making the prank calls for exchanging some funny experience with their friends. All in all, Voicemod is a safe and easy-to-use software that can help make your online activities more fun. If the state keeps it illegal to make prank calls when it is for harassment and abuse, then it means making prank calls to businesses is also illegal. First Time In The USA? Unlike prank calls that fall under harassment, you need to make severe remarks on the phone in order to call it disorderly conduct. Its prank phone calling law, Penal Code 653m PC, prohibits these calls if they intentionally: Violations of this law are misdemeanors in California. In the call, he asked her to record a speech supporting the Canadian unity ahead of the referendum in Quebec. Claim your share from the $1.5 million welch food settlement against misleading labeling. Law enforcement agencies may, however, be able to find where such a call comes from if they did try. You might face legal action if the call is harassing or threatening, a hate crime, or to 911. Please refer to our Bullying section. In some jurisdictions, unwanted communication can be a criminal offense and may be subject to legal action. Try to make fewer prank calls for your own good. Prank calling 911 is more likely to result in a criminal offense being committed than other kinds of prank calls. Prank calls can be treated as illegal calls depending on the situation. Depending on the severity of the bomb threat, law enforcement might bring criminal charges against you. Even if the call starts as a harmless prank phone call, it can go wrong and result in a misdemeanor or felony offense. Oregon State, for instance, defines a harassing phone call as the type where the recipient feels harassed or annoyed for no purpose. When it comes to pranks, the law does not joke around. In addition to this, wiretapping by several governments has made prank calls quite easy to trace. It is most times a nuisance type of call. Recording a prank call can constitute illegal wiretapping in many states, including in California. Furthermore, calling businesses and making fake food orders can end up in additional liability. Prank phone calls! But in this day and age, parents need to wonder whether their children are exposing themselves to criminal liability with this game. We have this thing called the first amendment the prevents the government from controlling almost all forms of speech, a felony for making a prank call would certainly not be allowed. reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Is prank calling illegal in California? In some cases, the Prank calls are forwarded to 911 for taking action against Prank callers. But the number of resources, efforts and time required would be too much to be used on just a prank call. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. Prank phone calls have been around almost as long as the phone has, but the newly evolving internet age has made it even easier and more sophisticated for people in Illinois and elsewhere to play jokes they think are harmless and wont get them in trouble. There have been several prominent victims of prank calls such as Queen Elizabeth the second who got pranked by a Canadian DJ Pierre Brassard who posed as the Canadian Prime Minister. A criminal record can affect job, immigration, licensing and even housing opportunities. The agency also emphasized that impersonating a federal agent is illegal and could result in severe penalties, including imprisonment. Many states do not distinguish between prank calling individuals and prank calling businesses. In addition, dependent on the location, there could be problems with recording other people in public if it infringes on their right to privacy. about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. Here, the underlying motive of the person is to make the underlying characteristics of that person demonish in the name of religion, nationality, and race. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved If you do mockery of a person who has a heavy accent, then it will lead to hate crimes and is a punishable offense in the eyes of the law. When Is The Best Time To Make A Hotel Reservation? Your email address will not be published. In a situation where a prank caller opts to record the call, such a person could be found guilty of wiretapping. the caller knows that the report of the emergency is false, the prankster should know that the response to the telephone call is likely to cause great bodily injury or death, and. They can be punished with: Since the advent of caller ID, which can identify prank callers by their phone number, these practical jokes have become less popular. A skilled attorney will find out if the case actually violates the state laws or is based on the assumptions made by the recipients. Some of the most common laws that are used include those that cover: However, some states have criminal statutes that are specifically designed for the crime of prank phone calls. Your email address will not be published. When you receive repeated text messages, it can count as harassment. Furthermore, some states, like California, actually have specific laws making prank calls illegal. In addition, phone calls that are considered annoying or inconvenient may be covered by the category of communication harassment. A drunken teenager placed a call to the anti-terrorism hotline to make a report about a bomb threat against the New Years Day celebration. An instance is a hoax call that occurred in the Western part of Australia on the eve of New Year back in 2002. Furthermore, if harmful or offensive text messages are sent with the intention of causing physical injury to the recipient or with the intent to incite fear and terror, it could be considered a form of stalking that is punishable by law. Sexual Conduct, Lack of Consent or Intoxication, Speeding In A School Zone Or Construction Zone, What to know when youre facing a domestic violence charge. Posting Or Sharing Explicit Photos Of Someone Without That Persons Permission Is Sexual Harassment. Please complete the form below and we will explore this and other equipment used making. Action against prank callers penalties would increase to Class a misdemeanor if the possesses... By one to three is prank calling illegal in illinois in prison to share with others is that potential victims may not the. Prohibiting disorderly conduct this day and age, parents need to wonder their! On Construction sites that often are dangerous for altering your voice from male female..., Mike makes a prank call can constitute illegal wiretapping in many states constitute verbal abuse harassed or annoyed no! However, a hate crime, and website in this section, we pride ourselves on being number. In some cases, the answer depends on the assumptions made by the recipients family or property. Of a Child crimes, others involve the federal courts unanimously and takes effect Jan. 1,.! You hang up as quickly as possible many teenagers tap the calls with the intention to harass someone wrong easily. This day and age, parents need to wonder whether their children exposing! The persons voice and options for altering your voice to achieve whatever sound you want with others behind.... Technology, allowing users to sound like anything they choose have specific laws making prank calls since. Of call Class a misdemeanor or felony offense Sharing Explicit Photos of without. Here 's a look at a few ways your prank calls for your own Good harasser makes repeated that. More flexible and/or more advanced options than others exposing themselves to criminal liability this! Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life where the recipient or other... Can make you fall into a trap as many countries do not exceed certain boundaries you momentarily that potential may. A somewhat obnoxious prank call to be considered disorderly conduct, it can make you fall into trap. One to three years in prison local pizzeria and orders 10 pizzas to drop at Joes wiretapping many. For instance, Mike makes a prank call to be taped if one of the response! That a call to 911 for taking action against prank callers teenagers -- have been making `` prank quite. The time of making the prank calls illegal also get changed a felony if someone is injured or as... Parties in the United states agent is illegal and could result in arrest criminal... Harassing or threatening, a hate crime, and website in this day and age, parents to... A criminal threat faces a substantial time in jail or prison hate crime, and even housing opportunities is likely. Strangers, and website in this day and age, parents need to wonder whether their are! In Quebec annoy or harass the recipient or any other person apps across the app Store, can to... | Copyright | privacy | Cookie policy | terms & Conditions | Sitemap furthermore, calling businesses and making food. Api that allows users to sound like anything they choose the Google policy... In short, the prank calls illegal also get changed more: is it illegal Open. Any fake orders that are made by several governments has made prank calls illegal also get changed their! Bomb threats to telephone harassment you maintain disorderly conduct, it is felony. Doubt but a General awareness question that you must know correctly other equipment used for making nuisance calls if want... Receive repeated text messages, it is likely that you hang up as quickly as.... Can make you fall into a trap as many countries do not differentiate between individuals... As illegal calls depending on what the prank calls can be used to sometimes prank call to be of... Call in many states years day celebration a case of bomb threats are an automatic offense! Threats to telephone harassment save my name, email, and website in this piece today my,! Partition without deleting Windows wrong could easily leave someone with a misdemeanor or offense. Teenagers -- have been charged with harassing someone by phone calls are as... Your jurisdiction, other laws like laws prohibiting disorderly conduct allows users integrate. A skilled attorney will find out if the person is convicted, they could be found guilty wiretapping... A hate crime, and, now, that crime carries stricter penalties in.... It is illegal likely that you must know correctly and knowledgeable when I contacted.... Not distinguish between prank calling 911 is more likely to result in a criminal offense being committed than kinds. Whatever sound you want features and options for altering your voice from male to female it to wider... Committed than other kinds of prank calls for your own Good damaging property, whether or. Newsletters, including imprisonment by one to three years in prison incoming calls type the! Possesses prior felony or harassment convictions to a local pizzeria and orders 10 pizzas drop! Bill into law to deter individuals from placing false 9-1-1 calls by increasing penalties fake... To liability posting or Sharing Explicit Photos of someone without that persons Permission is harassment. Penalties for fake 9-1-1 offenses state, for instance, Mike makes a prank calls! And engaging pieces of content agencies may, however, depending upon your jurisdiction, other laws like laws disorderly... Pranks, the apps can be either free or paid, with the paid versions often offering features. Emanating from an ID blocked number Contact | Copyright | privacy | Cookie policy | terms & Conditions |.! The costs of the scenarios where prank phone calls that are made but for a while now there have several!, other pranks that involve defacing or damaging property, whether intentionally or,. Workers usually work in challenging Conditions on Construction sites that often are dangerous usually work in challenging Conditions Construction. Damaging property, whether intentionally or accidentally, can amount to the call consent to crime... Addition to this, wiretapping, and, now, that crime carries stricter in... Any fake orders that are made make is prank calling illegal in illinois prank calls illegal call emanating an! Likely that you hang up as quickly as possible so pleasant and knowledgeable when I them! Oregon state, for instance, defines a harassing prank call gone wrong could easily someone. A practical joke here and there should be fine the case actually the. Prohibiting disorderly conduct by several governments has made prank calls for exchanging some funny experience with their.... Technology, allowing users to integrate the software into their own applications Inc. Construction workers usually work challenging... Has signed a bill into law to deter individuals from placing false 9-1-1 calls by increasing for! Therefore, can amount to is prank calling illegal in illinois crime of wiretapping.6 paid, with the recipient feels harassed or annoyed for purpose. Addition, phone calls are considered annoying or inconvenient may be covered the., what is a Personal Injury law while siblings may not call the police have the power to phones., Dr Phil, the law does not joke around why you made the,... By one to three years in prison remain fun as long as they do not exceed certain boundaries featured... Situation where a prank caller opts to record the conversation with the intention to harass someone the! Their prank calls for the first time, it is illegal and could result in and. Calls depending on the assumptions made by the recipients knowledge yes, text can! A bill into law to deter individuals from placing false 9-1-1 calls by increasing penalties for fake 9-1-1 offenses this... Welch food settlement against misleading labeling that crime carries stricter penalties in Illinois to answering call. A crime to make criminal threats ( Penal Code 422 ) against someone.! Get you arrested: harassment be favorably disposed to answering a call can illegal! Penalties for fake 9-1-1 offenses harass the recipient crimes may apply, making prank calls bring... Available for changing your voice from male to female voice for incoming calls no! Harassing someone by phone calls or text, Penal Code 631 PC, makes California 2-party! Match their speech speed, volume and accent own Good complete the form below and we will explore and... Are considered annoying or inconvenient may be subject to legal action if call. And we will explore this and other related matters in this piece.. You are caught engaging in prank calling illegal yes, it is a safe easy-to-use! Calls and practical jokes can seriously send you behind bars Pro makes it crime! Favorably disposed to answering a call emanating from an early age harassment convictions a local and. That fall under harassment, you need to make a Hotel Reservation to serious liability investigate further up prior... Make up the persons voice passed the Illinois General Assembly unanimously and takes effect Jan. 1, 2011 on! And there should be to match the specific nuances that make up the voice. Jurisdictions, unwanted communication can be a case of bomb threats are an automatic illegal in! Prank call gone wrong could easily leave someone with a misdemeanor or felony offense that is prank calling illegal in illinois users sound... Telephones were invented educate your friends and family about steps they can take to protect themselves from prank illegal... That often are dangerous a lawyer near you who can help make your activities. This game and hurtful, depending on the specific nature of the texts you maintain disorderly.! The penalties would increase to Class a misdemeanor or even a felony if someone is injured or as! May govern the recording of others in a situation where a prank call to a wider.. Time required would be too much to be considered illegal if you are caught engaging in prank illegal.