Hazing allegations are among the most serious charges a college student can face. They're also among the most complicated charges to defend against. If you've found yourself accused, you simply cannot afford to try and handle your defense on your own. For one thing, there's too much at stake. For another, the George Washington University judicial system can be difficult to navigate without help.
You don't want just any sort of help, though. It's great if your parents stand beside you, but you're facing complicated policies and procedures. In fact, even a local attorney won't do. You need someone with experience handling student misconduct cases, someone with a background in educational law and a thorough understanding of campus justice. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
Our Student Defense Team is always on your side and committed to doing everything in our power to protect your rights. We understand that losing a hazing case can be disastrous, and we'll bring every resource to bear to prevent that from happening.
You can't wait to contact us, though. You can be sure that GW is already preparing its case against you. You need to be preparing your defense. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how the Lento Law Firm can help, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at George Washington University
It is worth noting that hazing at GW isn't just contrary to school policy. Maryland law, Virginia law, and D.C. law prohibit hazing at all universities, both public and private, and, in fact, set fines for those caught participating in hazing activities. No school is going to ignore a legal mandate like that.
The fact is, though, that George Washington's own anti-hazing policy goes much further than any of these laws. For example, where all three statutes prohibit conduct that creates a risk of "bodily injury," GW policy additionally prohibits activities that could cause "mental […] discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule."
Here's what else you need to know about how the university defines hazing.
- Both the law and school policy make clear that hazing isn't just about actual harm. The standard is whether or not you have put another person in "danger of" harm. That means even if nothing goes wrong during your hazing activities, you can still be charged with an offense.
- The “willingness” of an initiate to participate is not a defense to hazing allegations. Participants cannot be said to “consent” to activities if membership in the organization is dependent on their participation. Note that this means the university can charge you with an offense even if no one involved registers an actual complaint and even if initiates insist they were treated fairly.
- Despite the fact that you'll find GW's policy on its “Fraternity and Sorority Resources” page, the policy itself uses the word “groups” rather than “fraternities and sororities.” In fact, any organization connected to the university can be charged with hazing.
- Likewise, hazing isn't only about initiation rites. It can be used as a method of maintaining membership in an organization, for instance, or to induct new leaders.
- Finally, GW policy is clear—you can be charged even if your hazing event takes place off-campus. Your organization's connection to the university is enough to provide the school with jurisdictional authority.
GW makes no mention of what penalties students and organizations might face in hazing cases. However, the first sentence of the policy notes that the university maintains a “zero tolerance” towards hazing. It's worth noting as well that hazing is an offense that frequently gets reported on the nightly news. No college or university wants to be accused of being soft on offenders. You can expect GW to impose the very harshest sanctions it can—suspension and dismissal—on those found Responsible for (guilty of) offenses.
We said it before, but it bears repeating. You cannot afford to risk your academic future. If you've been charged with hazing, you need the very best help you can get. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
GW cannot simply accuse you of hazing and dismiss you. It must have evidence you're responsible for an offense. It must give you the chance to challenge that evidence. In short, you are entitled to “due process.” It's not always easy to know how to use your rights effectively, though.
- Anyone at GW can accuse you of a hazing offense, from pledges to other organizations. The university must believe the accusations are credible, however, before it charges you. As a result, there is sometimes an opportunity to intervene in cases before an official investigation.
- The university must provide you with notice of the charges against you. This notice should explain the allegations. That's vital information for building your defense.
- GW then proceeds to a full investigation. You should have the opportunity to give your side of the story, submit evidence, and suggest witnesses for investigators to interview.
- Hazing cases can be complicated, involving multiple people and a range of specific charges. As a result, they can take time to complete—sometimes weeks or even months. You have a right, though, to review the evidence against you as the case unfolds.
- Once the investigation is complete, you'll have the chance to challenge any evidence at a formal hearing. You may also introduce your own evidence and call witnesses to testify.
- Cases are usually heard by a Student Conduct Panel appointed by Conflict Education & Student Accountability (CESA). Panel members employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to determine their level of responsibility. They don't have to find you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” but they do have to be more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- You can appeal a hearing outcome, but again, this is not as simple as it sounds. For instance, you cannot appeal just because you disagree with that outcome. You must have specific “grounds” for your appeal, such as a procedural error, new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
Despite the complexities of hazing cases, GW does not allow students to bring attorneys with them to investigative meetings and hearings. The Lento Law Firm regards this as an egregious violation of your due process rights.
Nevertheless, we can do a great deal to protect you even without stepping foot on campus. You can count on your attorney to help you uncover evidence, for instance, and to develop your strongest lines of argument. We can suggest questions for witnesses and coach you on how to deliver your presentation. More important than anything else, we'll keep a close watch on the case as it unfolds and make sure the university doesn't violate any of your other due process rights.
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 that GW 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.
