Okay hypothetical legal question about a nasty prank...?

Question

A guy friend and I were discussing terrible pranks one could pull that would be really horrible. He suggested the following:
Go to a neighborhood where you see someone new is moving in. Then go door to door introducing yourself as the new person moving in and explain to them that you are a registered sex offender and have to notify everyone. Word will spread that the new neighbor is a sex offender.

Cruel, eh?! Well, this hypothetical led to quite the legal debate. What laws are being broken? You're introducing yourself as the sex offender and are only claiming to live in that house. So I don't see how it would be slander unless you claimed to be THAT person. So, philosophical legal types, let's hear it. How is this prank illegal?

Guys, thanks for the mature answers. For the haters/idiots out there:

I stated this was a HYPOTHICAL PRANK! He and I have no intention of pulling it... it's cruel as he11! I was just interested in the legal aspects.

Answer 1

Pussy--that would be classic "false light" liability. It's a tort that doesn't work very often, but would here. In essence, you may not be saying anything false (except to defame you... "I'm a sex offender") but you're putting the "new neighbor" in a false light through your speech (they assume the new neighbor, you, and a sex offender are the same thing). This is the first tort. But since you're lying about (a) living in the neighborhood and (b) being a sex offender, slander would probably work (it's a false statement made to defame the reputation of a clearly identifiable person .. I think you make it there).

God forbid anything happen to the poor guy ... I could see a whole bunch of accessory / aiding & abetting torts or crimes charged. If you did anything to "encourage" for "facilitate" violence against the guy, you'd be in serious trouble.

Answer 2

You get grades in accordance with no remember in case you do nicely or no longer. you may (or might no longer) be attempting your ultimate yet once you nevertheless go incorrect, the instructor isn't meant to grant you a sturdy grade for doing nicely in case you have no longer completed nicely, no remember how confusing you tried. once you pass out into the international, no person provides you with a activity merely because of the fact which you attempt. Employers anticipate overall performance and effects, no longer attempting. you ought to not be pulling any pranks on your instructor (it is going to easily get you into hardship besides). you ought to be getting a coach or another help so which you will learn how to do nicely. which would be, what is going to supply help to all the way by using existence.

Answer 3

You don't have to give a name to be liable for slander or defamation of character. If someone said the short red haired guy about 20 yrs old with green eyes who works at ABC company is a child molester, that someone would be sued by that person and the judge or jury would rule that he committed slander. By saying your the occupant of a specific address your identification even without the specific name is enough to get you in serious trouble
Additionally you could be sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress both for your shock to the new arrival on the block as well as the person you are talking to. To sue someone for emotional distress, the act must be outragious and causing emotional distress. Your action would be both
Slander and emotional distress would be civil actions against you. You might also face criminal charges for interference with the duties of a police officer. The likelyhood would be that the police would be called by someone. You might be charged with the expense to the government and time consumption of police personnel.

Answer 4

It would be illegal if it could be proven to be slander. Slander involves intent to harm someone's reputation. It may have to be malicious intent, not sure. But, as that is clearly what you are describing, I would say it would be illegal. You don't have to claim to be THAT person for it to be slander, it would just have to be proven that you were purposefully leading people to believe very bad lies about THAT person. The name doesn't have to be said. It's more about intent.

And then you should also consider that the standard of proving intent would be different in criminal court than in civil court, I believe. In small claims court, they could sue you and only have to prove that it was more likely than not that you were purposefully slandering their names. they would not have to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Answer 5

It would probably only work if you were a man..

For some reason, society doesn't look down @ women who are registered sex offenders as much as they do men.

Anyways, that is kinda funny. I'd hate to be the person moving in.

Answer 6

Well, for one thing, the neighbors could register a complaint against you. This could lead to many legal issues.
At a social point, people may recognize and mark you in society.

Answer 7

If you came to my door and told me something like that I would be on the phone so quick to find out what I could do to get you out of my neighborhood . I am a grandmother and I dont want you living next door to me . sorry that is the way I feel and I will not apologize for it . good luck .

Answer 8

I don't think it is legally wrong at all... In fact all you have to say is that you are moving in down the street, let then neighbor infer what house you are talking about.

I would prob only do this to someone that I know so you can actually hear about it. Pointless to do it to a stranger.

Answer 9

thats pretty lame. how wud you get in trouble for being a dumb bytch? its legal. plus sex offenders have to register asap b4 they live there, or they go back to the home of the butt pounding, prison. any normal non retarded person knows about meghans law. DUMBSH!T

Answer 10

If you go up to someone and introduce yourself as a sex offender those people would most likely freak out, dial the cops, and there would be deputies all over the place looking for you.