Nothing funny about Halloween pranks any more

Pumpkins are plentiful, but one would be hard-pressed to find an outdoor privy for tipping over in the city of McCook proper.

T-P ing, egging, and soaping windows may be traditional Halloween stunts, but most parents, who may have even participated in such shenanigans in their youths, are wise enough not to turn their children loose on Oct. 31.

But are Halloween pranks harmless fun that's annoying but tolerable, or are there actually legal implications for those who carry out even the most common pranks?

Unfortunately, times have changed, and authorities aren't likely to look the other way just because of the calendar.

Name the prank, and there's probably a book on the law to land the minor -- and his parents -- in hot water.

For instance, bullies snatching candy from a younger goblin is legally robbery -- and even a felony if the use of a real or fake weapon is involved. Think twice before sending junior out with that pirate's sword Tuesday night.

Throwing eggs, smashing mailboxes, spraying shaving cream on cars or houses and other types of vandalism can land a youngster in community service at best, or some type of confinement.

There's a fine line between yelling "boo" and threatening another child to the extend that assault charges could come into play. And, the charges could stick, even if the threat is not actually carried out.

Keep an eye on the clock; curfew laws are enforced, even on Halloween.

And as another reminder that the times have changed, many states have a formal policy prohibiting known sex offenders of any age from participating in a holiday event involving children under 18 years of age, such as distributing candy or other items to children on Halloween.

Some states even mandate that sex offenders who face supervision under Megan's Law be confined to their homes on Halloween and are ordered not to answer the door when trick-or-treaters come calling.

"While some Halloween pranks are entirely predictable and sometimes regarded as a child's 'right of passage,' most do break a law of some kind," Attorney Jeff Isaac said. "If pursued, pranksters can find themselves in a great deal of hot water ... and not just with their parents. What started out as thrill-seeking can ultimately spin way out of control and become a life-altering, or ending event, as was the case in Indianapolis when a 15-year-old boy hanging out with a group of teens egging cars was murdered by the man driving the egged vehicle," he said.

"Parents would be wise to have frank dialogue about this issue with their tween through teen-age children to assure they fully understand that almost every naughty act can have a consequence -- and what those consequences can be in no uncertain terms."