Stalking or Harassment – When a prank call is just one call, it may not seem like a big deal, but repetitive or ongoing prank calls can actually reach the level of stalking or harassment. This also would include a prank call that involves abusive or offensive language or a threat. Other laws used to prosecute a prank caller may include any of the following:ĭisorderly Conduct – Generally this charge is one that a prosecutor will rely on if the individual’s behavior was abusive toward another person. Felony convictions can prevent you from getting a job, going to college, getting your own apartment, getting a loan, and much more. Because you would be violating a federal statute, this crime is also a felony. So, although your prank call may have been a joke, this type of prank call may be the most serious of them all. Because the federal government regulates calls across state lines, the police may request involvement with the federal agencies. If you make a call to a person who is out of state, you could be charged with a federal crime. This is just one of the reasons the police take these calls so seriously. Any racial or ethnical speech during the call can leave a person of a minority to fear for their personal safety, especially if they have been the victim of a hate crime in the past. They may feel anxious or scared, especially as hate crimes continue to be on the rise. While most prank calls are intended to be harmless, the person at the other end of the call may not feel the same way. In fact, there are a few laws that can be used to prosecute a prank caller.

While this may not seem like a serious crime, such a prank can actually land the prank caller in some hot water.

A common mistake often includes a prank phone call at some point or another. As a teen and young adult, almost everyone makes a few youthful mistakes.

Prank call