If you've been charged with hazing at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), you probably have a lot of questions. We try to answer as many of those as we can below. The very first thing you need to know, though, is that the situation is serious. Hazing cases can be extraordinarily complex, involving dozens of players and sometimes other types of disciplinary misconduct offenses. It's also no exaggeration to say that your entire academic future hangs in the balance.
Whether you are entirely innocent of the charges or you did make some sort of mistake, you never want to go into a hazing investigation on your own. You cannot expect the fact of your innocence to win the day. The institute will put the worst possible spin on whatever evidence it happens to uncover. Likewise, even if you're planning to accept responsibility for a hazing incident, you always need someone in your corner to ensure you're treated fairly. These days, universities impose the most severe sanctions they can get away with.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is always on your side and prepared to fight on your behalf. We know IIT policies and procedures, and we've helped hundreds of students just like you defend themselves from all types of charges, including hazing.
It's important you contact us quickly, though. You can be sure IIT is already building its case against you. You should be building your defense. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how we can help, or take a few minutes right now and fill out this online form.
Defining Hazing at Illinois Institute of Technology
Part of the difficulty of avoiding a hazing charge at IIT is that the school's anti-hazing policy is written in complicated legalese that can be difficult even for lawyers to parse. Most of our clients don't even know they've broken the rules until they wind up charged. Here's a brief list of just some of the issues you need to worry about.
- First, hazing isn't just about harming pledges physically. You can also face charges for causing them "physical discomfort, embarrassment, or ridicule." In recent years, students have even been accused of "keeping pledges up too late at night" and "preventing pledges from studying."
- Hazing is usually associated with Greek organizations. IIT's policy does not mention fraternities or sororities. Instead, it uses the more general terms "group" and "organization." If you participate in any campus organization, from intramural sports clubs to an improv troupe, you're responsible for following all hazing guidelines.
- Hazing is most often involved in initiation rites, but it is also sometimes used to assure continued membership in a group or as a means of inducting organization officers. These activities are covered by the hazing policy as well.
- IIT's policy is careful to note that the "willingness" of participants is not a defense to hazing. It doesn't matter if pledges refuse to complain. You can even have them sign waivers. IIT has the right to charge you with hazing even if no one makes an allegation.
IIT takes the unusual step in its anti-hazing policy of quoting directly from Illinois state law. It turns out, hazing isn't just counter to school regulations but also a violation of legal statutes. However, IIT's policy is actually stricter than state law. That means that even if the state declines to prosecute you or finds you innocent of hazing charges, you can still wind up investigated, adjudicated, and sanctioned by the institute. Sanctions typically include either suspension or dismissal.
Any time your academic future is on the line, you need the Lento Law Firm on your side. We know IIT policy, and we know IIT judicial procedures. We offer you your very best chance of successfully defending yourself and salvaging your IIT career.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
What does a hazing defense look like? It turns out you have some important due process rights as an IIT student. They're designed to ensure you're treated fairly and that justice is done in all disciplinary cases. To use these rights effectively, though, you have to know what you're doing.
- Anyone at IIT can accuse you of hazing, from pledges to other organizations. Complaints are filed with the Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR), which makes all decisions about whether to issue formal charges.
- The institute cannot investigate you in secret. If you've been charged with hazing, you'll receive official notice of those charges.
- You have the right to an advisor of your choice, someone to accompany you to meetings and other proceedings to help you make your case. The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you, but they can be at your side to help you answer questions and present your arguments.
- Once you've been officially charged, the OSCR conducts an investigation into the allegations. Typically, investigators begin by interviewing both the respondent (the accused, you) and any complainants (accusers or alleged victims). They also interview any witnesses and collect physical evidence associated with the case.
- Hazing cases can be complex and sometimes take weeks or months to complete. Once they've completed their work, though, investigators turn their findings over to the OSCR, which then sets a time and date for a hearing.
- Most hazing cases are serious enough that they're heard by a Judicial Board. Both sides in the case have the right to make their cases at the hearing. You may present evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- Board Members apply a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to decide the case. According to this standard, you are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- You also have the right to appeal a responsible finding. Grounds for appeal are strictly limited, though, to issues like the discovery of new evidence, a procedural error, or a disproportionate sanction.
Beyond accompanying you to investigative interviews and the hearing, the Lento Law Firm attorney will help you prepare and deliver your defense, from uncovering evidence to suggesting questions for witnesses. Throughout the process, they'll also make sure that you're treated fairly and afforded every right you deserve.
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 the Illinois Institute of Technology 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.
