Let's not beat around the bush here. If you've been charged with a hazing offense at Georgetown, the situation is serious. This isn't an accusation that you stole a tray from the cafeteria, and you're not looking at a slap on the wrist. This is the sort of accusation that makes headlines.
In fact, if someone's pointed the finger at you, you can be sure that Georgetown will conduct a zealous investigation. You'll be subject to a hearing, and if you're found Responsible (guilty), you can face punishments up to and including suspension and even outright dismissal.
Whatever your situation—whether you are entirely innocent or you did make some kind of mistake--you deserve fair treatment and a just resolution. The Lento Law Firm can make sure you get those things. Our Student Defense Team was founded specifically to protect student rights. We're familiar with Georgetown's policies on hazing and how the university's judicial system operates. We've represented hundreds of student clients, and we can help you as well.
To find out more, call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at Georgetown University
As a starting point, you should know that Georgetown's anti-hazing policy is strict. Hazing is not just a part of the general Student Code of Conduct, but the university provides a number of additional resources including a clear definition of hazing, a list of examples, and an online form for reporting incidents.
Here are the basics of what you need to know.
- Hazing isn't just about physical harm to initiates. The Georgetown definition includes "psychological" and "emotional" harm to individuals. In fact, broadly speaking, university policy defines hazing as an "abuse of power" that can also include actions that are "unproductive, unsafe, excessive, and/ or demeaning." Under a definition like this, even a boring meeting might be classed as hazing.
- You need not actually cause harm in order to be charged with hazing. The policy focuses on “endangerment.” If your actions could cause harm, they qualify as hazing.
- Hazing doesn't just happen with fraternities and sororities. Any campus organization can be charged with hazing.
- Hazing is often associated with “initiation” processes, but any condition placed on continued membership or ascension to an officer role can also be charged as hazing.
- Hazing can occur both on campus and off.
- No one can “consent” to hazing. By definition, hazing requires initiates to submit to acts in exchange for membership.
Georgetown doesn't prescribe penalties for hazing offenses. Instead, sanctions are based on the nature and context of those offenses. However, in the current political climate, punishments can be severe, including suspension and expulsion. In fact, Georgetown can also revoke your degree if it should discover some indiscretion that occurred before you graduated from the university.
More importantly, a Responsible finding for hazing can wind up on your transcript, and that can affect scholarships, internships, graduate school applications, and job applications. It is no exaggeration to say that charges put your entire future at risk, even if you're only facing a warning.
You cannot afford to try and handle a hazing case yourself. You need help—the best help you can find. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm on your side.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
You always have the right to defend yourself from misconduct charges at Georgetown, including hazing charges. Obviously, you'll want to defend yourself if you are innocent, but even if you are guilty, you want to make sure you're treated fairly by the system.
- Cases usually begin with an allegation. Anyone who is part of the campus community can make such an allegation, including students, faculty, administration, staff, and security personnel.
- If the university decides the allegations are credible, it issues an official charge. You receive notice of these charges, which should include detailed information about the accusations and a complete list of your due process rights as the accused.
- Among your rights, you have the right to a presumption of innocence ("Not Responsible"), the right to review all evidence in the case, and the right to choose a support person to accompany you to meetings and proceedings. Note that this support person can be an attorney, meaning you can count on the Lento Law Firm attorney to be beside you to help you answer questions and present your defense.
- The university then proceeds to an investigation. Because of the nature of the offense, these can sometimes take several weeks to complete. You should have the opportunity to give your side of the story, though, and to offer evidence to investigators.
- Once investigators complete their work, Georgetown sets a time and date for a hearing. The university also appoints one or more decision-makers to preside over proceedings.
- In presenting your defense, you may offer up arguments for your innocence, you may introduce evidence, and you may call witnesses to testify. You also have the right to raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- Ultimately, cases are decided using a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." Far less strict than "beyond a reasonable doubt," this standard requires decision-makers to find you Responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- Finally, you are also entitled to an appeal should you lose your hearing. You must have grounds for an appeal, however, and grounds at Georgetown are strictly limited to
- Procedural error
- New evidence
- Disproportionate sanction
Beyond this basic outline of process and procedure, you cannot be sure what kinds of issues may arise during a hazing investigation. Often, many students will be involved, and there may be multiple defendants. Sometimes, a sexual component will make a case subject to federal Title IX guidelines. You may need to parse Georgetown's hazing definition. The average attorney isn't prepared to take on a case like this.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team knows exactly what to expect from campus justice. We're specifically focused on campus misconduct offenses like hazing, and we know exactly what to expect from a campus hearing. No one gives you a better chance of success than the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm.
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 Georgetown 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.
