Need some Legal Advice - I did something pretty stupid...?

Question

I know it was stupid but I didn't think it was that big of a deal. I'm 16, two of my friends are also 16, and one of us is 15.
Well me and these friends were going to ding dong ditch a house, one chosen at completely random.
Once again, It was a stupid thing but I didn't really think it was that big of a deal.
One of us went to the door, two(one of which was me) just stayed on the sidewalk, and another was across the street.
They turned out to not have a doorbell so my friend just knocked twice, loudly and in rapid succession.
Him and the two of us on the sidewalk went to hide.
We waited for a while and nothing in the house changed, so we just got up and left.
Well halfway down the street the lady opens her door and starts screaming at us. So we then run away.
Couple minutes later I see police lights flashing and I figure they are here for us, so I burst out into a full run and take an indirect path to my house. One of my friends follows...

but the other two are seperated.
An hour later my friends haven't returned so I figure they got picked up.
After that the cops are at my door, telling me to come out.
Turns out when they noticed a missed call on my friends phone they traced the number to me.
I step outside and this is where I'm really suprised, there are atleast 6 police cars, one k-9 unit, and a helicopter.
I was like, for one group of kids ding-dong ditching, are you kidding me?
Well it turns out the lady told the police we had tried to break into her house and burglarize the house.
Burglary is a felony, what we should get is a misdemeanor.
So we go to court, and her attorney says that we tried to kick the door down, and we didn't get to say our side of the story.
So the jude has sentenced us to a court hearing in 1 week.
Third time, I'm sorry for what we did and I know it was stupid, but I don't deserve a felony charge.
To those who know anything of law, just tell me what you think of all this.

Thanks to all who waited ofr the rest of the story. All I'd like at add is If you have any adivce, just throw it my way. I'm pretty open right now.

Yes I know what we did was very stupid and I regrte it, you can be sure I won't be breaking any more laws, EVER.
My problem is now I'm facing felony charges when what I deserve is a misdemeanor at most.
Some of you may go, oh well, serves you right you little punk.
The thing is though it doesn't, I deserve a misdemeanor charge, no more and no less.
Once again, I'd really appreciate some legal advice.
-Thank you

To those below, it was not and old lady. The house was occupied by a woman and her husband, both in their 30's, and the womans borther of a similar age.
And as for harm to her, In court she said she was fearing for her life.
While I don't doubt she was afraid, she came outside and yelled at us.
If she was "fearing fo rher life" I don't think she would of confronted us.

Answer 1

waits for the rest of the story...... patiently.

old ladies get scared easy. poor thing, and you guys didnt know the random house you picked was occupied by a scared old lady. time for you to be responsible ok?
ask your parent to help you retain an attorney and tell them you will get a job and pay them back the costs, because that is what you want to do, right?

i believe you will not be breaking the law any more, disturbing the peace isnt a felony, the attorney should be able to help you.

if you were my son? this is exactly how we would handle this problem.

Answer 2

Ok so you & your friends made a wrong things ding dong ditch a house, fun isn't it. Yes kids huh!

So now you and the other kids is going for a day in court, definitely you guys will get minor misdemeanor, just a few community service days that's all. Either you accept the sentence or remain in jail. Since you guys are considered minor these is the only thing the court could give you.

That is why next time-----CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS---friends the only usual suspect of having you put to jail. Because as only one person you wouldn't think of ding donging one house would you?

Answer 3

Your word against hers.. and home invasions, where innocent people are getting killed, are becoming a real and serious problem. Not rubbing your nose in it.. but seriously, there are persons out there that think killing someone is no big deal.
I assume you now have a lawyer. Its up to you to convince him that it was only intended as prank/ harassment, then to convince the Judge of that.
by the way.. no one on the internet can give you true legal help, and lawyers are PROHIBITED from advising someone who isn't a client.
My (non lawyer) advice is to politely stop at the district attorney's office, or legal aid, and find out what your rights and options are, as to getting an attorney.
I wish to God there was some way to reach all the kids out there, that think 'pranking' is no big deal.

Answer 4

You better hope they don't hang a felony charge on you because it will show up for the rest of your life. Your chances of passing a background check would be shot. Twenty years from now they can track you to that felony. But....since there was no burlary, there can be no felony. But.. and I don't mean to preach... don't go fooling around on people's private property. I know people who would shoot and ask questions later. Many people keep weapons in their homes. That lady probably freaked and thought her door was going to be kicked in.

Answer 5

oh man hahaha i used to do that kinda sh1t so much. i wouldnt worry though. how are they gonna prove you tried to break in? the door isnt damaged (which it would be if you tried to kick it down) this lady just sounds like a paranoid ***** who shouldnt be living alone. im sure that any judge will see this for what it is. also i dont think you will even get the misdameanor. i mean pretty much everyone has ding dong ditched before and ran from the cops when they were a teenager.


by the way f*ck that guy below me. if you didnt do stuff like that when you were a kid, youre the one who needs to get a life (along with the cops in your town)

Answer 6

It's called a "prank" ... disturbing the peace of an old women. Kids do that occasionally. They shouldn't but they do. No harm came to her. It's not even a misdemeanor. You need to talk to a lawyer for advice.

Answer 7

Hmm doesn't sound like you did anything illegal, unless knocking on a door is illegal? Perhaps the lady thought you were trying to break into the house and called the police?

Answer 8

Have your attorney talk to the d.a. and come to an agreement to plead it down to a misd. like disturbing the peace or something inconsequential. They do that all day long and should work.

Answer 9

Don't be stupid twice. Get an attorney or public defender if you can't afford an attorney.

Answer 10

Wise up and get a life before you really get in trouble! Grow up and stop the nonsense before you end up in prison for stupid, blind behavior!