If you've found your way here, it almost certainly means you've been accused of hazing at Florida State University. This type of accusation is more common than you might think. It isn't the kind of accusation you want to take lightly, though. Hazing is the kind of misconduct that winds up reported on the evening news. In addition, cases can be complex and difficult to navigate. Often, they involve multiple complainants, respondents, and witnesses. Just separating out who did what can be a challenge. Plus, colleges and universities tend to apply the harshest penalties to students found responsible for such offenses.
Whatever your particular situation—whether you are entirely innocent of the charges against you or you did make some sort of mistake—the Lento Law Firm is on your side. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights, and we take that responsibility seriously. We know the law; we know how Florida State's judicial system works; we're prepared to bring every resource at our disposal to bear to ensure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
If you've been charged with hazing at FSU, don't wait. 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 Florida State University
What is the best way to avoid a hazing charge at Florida State? Avoid hazing. That's not always as easy as you might think. This isn't an intuitive offense, like underage drinking, where it's easy to know what will get you into trouble. FSU's anti-hazing policy can be confusing. Here are just a few aspects of the policy that might surprise you.
- Hazing isn't just about physical harm. Sure, if you brand a pledge with your fraternity letters, you're going to face a charge. You can also be charged for harming a person's mental health, though. Interfering with someone's "academic pursuits," for instance, qualifies as hazing. That means just scheduling too many initiation activities could count.
- Likewise, hazing isn't just about the actual harm you do. If you “endanger” a person's physical or mental health—deliberately or recklessly—that's enough to garner a charge. This means that even if nothing goes wrong at your organization's event, you could still face charges.
- Hazing isn't just about fraternities and sororities. Any organization can be accused of hazing, from music clubs to honor societies.
- You can be charged with a hazing offense for attending a hazing event, even if you are not an active participant.
- The “willingness” of participants is not a defense to hazing. You cannot avoid a charge by having initiates sign waivers. If membership in the organization depends on participation, participants cannot give “consent” to activities.
Hazing isn't just counter to FSU policy. It's a violation of the state of Florida's anti-hazing law, and you can face serious legal penalties. It's important you recognize, though, that the university's response to a hazing incident is entirely separate from the state's response. It doesn't matter if the state declines to prosecute you. The university can still conduct an investigation, hold a hearing, and find you responsible for an offense. In addition, FSU has its own set of punishments, and suspension is usually the minimum sanction in hazing cases.
We said it before, but it is worth repeating. You cannot afford to take hazing charges lightly. You need the best help you can possibly get. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
Just as you would be in the criminal justice system, at FSU, you are innocent (“not responsible”) until proven guilty (“responsible”). The university must have concrete evidence to substantiate any charges, and it must give you the opportunity to respond to that evidence at a hearing. Here's what you can expect from the FSU judicial process.
- Anyone can lodge a hazing complaint against you—initiates, organization members, other organizations, organization advisors, faculty, staff, administrators, and security personnel.
- If you are under investigation, FSU must provide you with notice of the charges. That notice should describe the complaint, giving you important information for building your defense. It should also apprise you of your several due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to an advisor, someone to help you prepare your case and to accompany you to meetings and other proceedings. This advisor can be an attorney, which means a Lento Law Firm attorney can be at your side from the moment you are charged.
- The Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards then conducts a thorough investigation. Again, the university must have some proof in order to move forward with the case. You have the right to give your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- Once the investigation is complete, the university sets a time and date for a hearing. Most hazing cases are eligible for a formal hearing before a multi-member hearing body.
- At the hearing, you get to present your full case, from arguments to evidence to witness testimony. The other side gets to do the same. In addition, both sides can raise questions for witnesses against them.
- The hearing body decides the case using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” The question is whether it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- You are entitled to appeal the hearing outcome if you feel you were treated unfairly during the appeal. Grounds are limited, though, to issues like procedural errors, the discovery of new evidence, and disproportionate sanctions.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney can't "represent" you the way they would in a criminal court of law. However, they can make sure you're fully prepared to deliver your own defense. They'll work with you to gather evidence and coach you on how to respond to investigative questions. They'll outline your strongest arguments, suggest questions for witnesses, and prepare evidentiary exhibits. They'll draft documents and give you practice in presenting your case. Most important of all, your Lento Law Firm attorney will monitor everything that happens and ensure you're treated fairly from start to finish.
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 Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can make sure you're fully prepared to defend yourself. They can insist Florida State 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 Lento 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.
