You can't afford to take any disciplinary misconduct allegation lightly. Campus judicial procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and it's no exaggeration to say that a sanction could entirely change the trajectory of your academic and professional careers.
All of that goes double when it comes to hazing allegations. Colleges and universities take these offenses extremely seriously, and just the hint of an offense can lead to an investigation. Once you're under investigation, you can't be certain how things will end, even if you are entirely innocent of the charges.
Don't risk your future. The moment someone points the finger at you, contact the Lento Law Firm immediately. We are the premier firm in the country when it comes to representing students, and our Student Defense Team is committed to protecting your rights. We've helped hundreds of students get the justice they deserve, and you can count on us to do the same for you.
It's important you contact us quickly, though. You can be sure Iowa State University 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 one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at Iowa State University
Over the last several years, as hazing has gained national attention, colleges and universities like ISU have tightened their anti-hazing policies to the point where almost any sort of initiation activity can result in an allegation. Here are a few of the more important features of the policy that can get you into trouble.
- Students usually think of hazing as an activity that causes physical harm to other students. The fact is, you can also be charged for endangering another person's "mental" health. Even just harassing a pledge is enough to trigger a warning. In fact, in recent years, some organizations have been charged simply for keeping pledges up too late at night.
- The key word is “endangering.” You don't have to actually hurt anyone. If you create the circumstances in which harm could occur, that's enough.
- Hazing isn't something that just happens in fraternities and sororities. Music groups can commit hazing, as can honor societies and even religious organizations.
- You cannot avoid a charge by arguing that participants were willing. Even if no one complains, even if every participant signs a waiver, the university can still come after you. Because membership in the organization is at stake, ISU regards all participation as “coerced.”
- You can be charged for failing to prevent and failing to report hazing activities. You don't have to be an active participant.
Note that the state of Iowa maintains its own law against hazing. However, Iowa State's policy is far stricter. Where the law only prohibits "physical harm" in connection with initiation activities, ISU also outlaws "mental harm." This means you can be in violation of school policy without committing a legal offense. It also means that you can be punished by Iowa State even if the state of Iowa decides you are innocent of any charges. Generally, ISU punishes hazing offenders with either suspension or dismissal. Either sanction can have a devastating effect on your academic future.
The moment you're charged with hazing, you should contact the Lento Law Firm. There's too much at risk to try and defend yourself.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
The good news is that Iowa State does provide students accused of disciplinary misconduct with some important due process rights, such as the right to a presumption of innocence. The university can't simply accuse you of an offense—even a hazing offense—and impose a sanction. It must conduct an investigation looking for substantiating evidence. Likewise, it must hold a hearing at which you are allowed to challenge any evidence.
Here's what you can expect if you find yourself accused of hazing.
- The university's Office of Student Conduct handles all misconduct issues. It is this office that must decide whether a given complaint warrants the formal issue of a charge.
- If you've been charged, you'll receive official notice of that charge from the Office of Student Conduct. This notice should provide details of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you're allowed to select an advisor to accompany you to investigative meetings and other official proceedings. Further, you can select a Lento Law Firm attorney to serve in this role.
- Next, ISU conducts a full investigation. The university cannot proceed without evidence. As part of the investigation process, you have the right to give your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators turn their findings over to the university, which then sets a time and date for a hearing. Before the hearing takes place, you have the right to review all of this evidence.
- Cases appear before the Student Conduct Hearing Board. Both sides offer evidence and call witnesses to testify. In addition, both sides have the opportunity to raise questions for any witnesses.
- Ultimately, the SCHB applies the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard to determine whether or not you are responsible for (guilty of) an offense. According to this standard, you are guilty if Board members are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- Finally, should you be found responsible, you have the right to appeal the hearing outcome if you can demonstrate you were treated unfairly in some way by the process.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney can be beside you to help you answer questions throughout the investigation and hearing. Their more important job, though, is to help you prepare for what you'll face. It is your attorney's job, for instance, to find evidence supporting your innocence, to coach you in what to say to investigators, and to identify your strongest arguments. It's their job to outline your hearing presentation and give you practice in making your arguments. Most importantly, it's their job to ensure that you are treated fairly and that you receive a just resolution to your case.
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 Iowa State University 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.
