Hazing is among the most serious allegations any Drexel University student can face. That's true in terms of the complexity of the charges. It isn't unusual for incidents to involve dozens of students. Allegations can come from almost anywhere. And if you're facing hazing charges, you may very well be facing additional charges, such as underage drinking, disorderly conduct, or sexual misconduct. Hazing is also a serious allegation in the sense that students found responsible can face some pretty extreme sanctions. Suspension is normally the minimum penalty. Dismissal is common as well.
This isn't the sort of misconduct case you should ever try to handle on your own. Luckily, you don't have to. The LLF Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to protecting student rights. Our Student Defense Team has helped hundreds of students defend themselves. We'll use every resource at our disposal to ensure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
We can help you respond to allegations and salvage your academic future. You need to act quickly, though. You can be sure the university is preparing its case against you. You need to be preparing your defense. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how we can help, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at Drexel University
It's crucial that you understand Drexel's anti-hazing policy. Obviously, that can help you avoid getting into trouble in the first place. If you're already in trouble, though, it's also how you begin building your defense. You can't hope to prove your innocence unless you fully grasp the allegations against you.
Here's how Drexel defines hazing.
- Any time you cause physical injury as part of an initiation rite, you can expect a charge of hazing. You don't have to go quite so far, though. You can also be charged for "activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity" of another person, for forcing someone to consume alcohol, drugs, or other substances, and for encouraging anyone to violate "federal or state criminal law."
- Similarly, hazing isn't just about actual harm. Any “activity that creates a reasonable likelihood” qualifies. In addition, it doesn't matter whether you set out to cause harm. You can also be charged for acting “recklessly.”
- Drexel's definition of hazing doesn't mention Greek organizations. Instead, it refers generally to all campus organizations. Just because you're a member of an honor society doesn't mean you're immune from an allegation.
- Hazing isn't just about initiation into an organization. It can also be associated with maintaining membership or with gaining higher “status” in an organization.
- You can be charged with hazing even if incidents occur off-campus.
Drexel's policy follows Pennsylvania state law verbatim. However, university charges are not necessarily tied to state law. That is, Drexel reserves the right to pursue an investigation, conduct a hearing, and punish students, even if they are not under investigation by law enforcement. In fact, even if the state should prosecute you and decide you are totally innocent of any charges, Drexel can still sanction you if its own processes determine you are responsible for (guilty of) an offense.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
Hazing is a serious charge, but Drexel can't simply accuse you and punish you. You always have due process rights. You're innocent until proven guilty, for example (“Not Responsible” until proven “Responsible), the university needs concrete evidence to substantiate any charges, and you get to challenge that evidence at a hearing.
- Anyone can accuse you of hazing, including initiates, organization members, organization advisors, other organizations, faculty, staff, administration, and campus security.
- If Student Conduct & Care decides to issue charges against you, it must provide you with official notice of those charges. The university cannot investigate you in secret. Notice should explain the allegations and include a list of your due process rights.
- Next, Student Conduct & Care initiates an investigation. You can expect an invitation to give your side of the story. Investigators also speak with complainants (alleged victims) and any witnesses, and they collect any physical evidence.
- Ultimately, investigators turn over all of their findings to Student Conduct & Care, which sets a time and date for a formal hearing before the University Conduct Board.
- At the hearing, you have the right to offer arguments in defense of your innocence and to support those arguments with both physical evidence and witness testimony. You can also raise questions about any evidence used against you, including witness testimony.
- Conduct Board members must apply the legal standard "preponderance of the evidence" in determining your level of responsibility (guilt). This is not "beyond a reasonable doubt." According to the "preponderance" standard, members only need to be more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- The hearing isn't necessarily the end of your case. If you're found responsible, you have the right to appeal under certain conditions. These include a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, and a disproportionate sanction.
It's important you know that Drexel University does not allow you to bring an attorney with you to meetings and proceedings. However, your LLF Law Firm attorney can do far more for you than sit beside you at a hearing. They'll work with you to uncover evidence and outline your entire defensive strategy. They'll coach you on how to handle investigative interviews. They'll make sure you're fully prepared to present your case at the hearing, from suggesting questions for witnesses to preparing evidentiary exhibits. More important than anything else, they'll keep a close watch on everything that happens and make sure you're treated fairly every step of the way.
Fighting for Your Future
Hazing is a serious offense, and a Responsible finding can mean serious sanctions. Just because you've been charged, though, doesn't mean you'll necessarily be found Responsible. The LLF Law Firm's Student Defense Team can make sure you're fully prepared to defend yourself. They can insist Drexel afford you every due process right to which you are entitled. In the end, they offer you your very best chance of success.
Let the LLF Law Firm help you fight for your academic future. To find out more, contact us today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
