There has been a disturbing run of prank calls to hotels in Alabama (H/T: Here and Now) as well as in California, Nebraska, and Arkansas. The caller tells hotel employees that they must urgently turn on sprinklers and break windows.
This action is more than just a prank, it is a criminal offense. In most states there are felony criminal property damage laws for intent to do property damage that results in such serious damage. The results of turning on a sprinkler quickly causes tens of thousands of dollars in water and flood damage to any hotel property.
Most states also have criminal offenses for falsely setting off a fire alarm, or causing it to happen. These are separate criminal offenses.
There is no question that these are serious charges. If these people are caught, they are very likely to do jail time if convicted.
If you find yourself charged with a crime, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer for a consultation. Whether you did something foolish that you are regret, or are accused of something you didn’t do, or were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, you need top criminal defense advice, and answers to your questions.
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