When Pranks Cross the Line, Consequences Can Be Serious

Pranks, dares, and social media challenges may seem like fun on the surface, but they can quickly cross the line. When that happens, the consequences can be serious.

Activities that result in physical harm to another, damage to property, or panic throughout a community can lead to criminal charges ranging from disorderly persons offenses to indictable crimes, resulting in both criminal and collateral consequences. In extreme cases involving older juveniles and the most severe crimes, there is the possibility of the case being waived up to adult superior court.

Collateral consequences of prank-related crimes can impact the offender’s life long after the court-imposed penalties are completed. These consequences can affect the offender’s educational opportunities by resulting in the denial of admission, loss of scholarship or financial aid, or probation, suspension or expulsion from classes. They can also affect the offender’s ability to obtain a professional license, especially when seeking a career in the medical, dental, law, or accounting fields.

It is important to seek experienced criminal defense counsel to ensure your rights and future are protected when accused of such conduct.

For offenders 18 years of age or older, prank-related crimes can result in a permanent criminal record.

To expunge a record of offenses, New Jersey applies a petition-based expungement process. An individual can petition to have their entire record expunged provided the following criteria are met:

• The petition cannot be filed until a mandatory time period has passed since the individual’s release from custody or probation, or the completion of any court-ordered programs and payment of any fines or restitution.
• The individual must not have had any subsequent convictions or pending charges (either juvenile or adult) during such time period.
• The individual must not have had any prior adult criminal record(s) expunged.

Generally, certain more serious offenses, including aggravated sexual assault, arson, manslaughter, murder, and robbery are barred from the traditional expungement process.