Hazing is one of those sorts of allegations you don't want to mess around with. Cases can be extremely complicated, involving dozens of people—complainants, respondents, witnesses. Often, hazing investigations lead to additional charges, like underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and even sexual misconduct. Charges can sometimes become very public. And oh, by the way, cases usually end with either suspension or outright dismissal.
So, let's cut to the chase: what should you do if you've been charged? Before you do anything else, you want to make sure you have help—someone to handle the chaos, someone to protect your rights, and someone to make sure you're prepared for everything that's coming. You need someone from the LLF Law Firm.
As the name implies, our Student Defense Team was founded to defend students. We've dealt with every type of misconduct charge, including hazing. We're fully informed about all Lehigh policies, including how judicial processes and procedures work. And no matter what, we're always on your side.
It's important you contact us quickly, though. Lehigh 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 Lehigh University
Hazing is complicated even if you haven't been charged with an offense. Lehigh University's anti-hazing policy is so broad that it's almost impossible to know what will and won't trigger an investigation.
Here are just a few of the confusing aspects of the policy you need to worry about.
- The headline hazing stories usually have to do with physical injury or death. Hazing isn't just about the physical harm you might do, though. You can also be charged for producing "mental or physical discomfort." You can be charged for "harassment," "ridicule," and causing "embarrassment." In other words, even an offhand comment can be grounds for a sanction. You must be very careful about everything you do and say.
- Note, too, that you don't have to actually cause harm to wind up charged with a hazing offense. Lehigh's definition of hazing includes “any action taken or situation created […] to produce harm.” In other words, even if nothing goes wrong at your initiation activity, you may still be liable for an offense.
- Hazing is not something that just happens in Greek organizations. Any campus organization can be charged, from athletic clubs to honor societies.
- Lehigh's anti-hazing policy applies to activities both on and off campus. Relocating your event won't help you prevent a charge.
- The policy also specifically states that the “willingness” of participants is irrelevant to charges of hazing. Even if no one complains about your event, even if pledges actually defend your event, the university can still investigate you, adjudicate you, and punish you for hazing allegations.
Just what kinds of punishments are we talking about? Technically, Lehigh can impose any of its published sanctions on you, starting with a disciplinary warning. In practice, however, sanctions are usually far more severe. In fact, the policy begins its list of possible sanctions with “expulsion” and “disciplinary suspension.”
When your academic future is on the line, you simply can't afford to try and handle the case yourself. You need someone in your corner to protect your rights and ensure you're treated fairly. You can count on the LLF Law Firm attorney to use every resource at their disposal to make sure justice is done in your case.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
Hazing is a scary allegation, and, as we've tried to make clear, a hazing defense is never an easy prospect. There is some good news, though. Lehigh can't simply accuse you and dismiss you. Students charged with misconduct offenses—including hazing—have important due process rights. For example, you are "innocent until proven guilty," just as you would be in a court of law. The university must have evidence to convict you, and it must give you a formal opportunity to refute that evidence.
- Anyone at Lehigh can level an allegation of hazing against you—initiates, organization members, other organizations, advisors, faculty, staff, administration, security personnel.
- Hazing cases are in the hands of Lehigh Conduct Officers. These officers will provide you with written notice if you've been charged with a hazing offense. This notice should explain the allegations and provide a complete list of your due process protections.
- The Conduct Officer, in your case, will commission an investigation. You have the right to give your side of the story. You can also submit evidence and suggest witnesses for investigators to interview.
- Because hazing investigations are so complex, they can sometimes take weeks or even months to complete. Once they are complete, investigators submit their findings to the Conduct Officer, who then determines how to proceed.
- Some misconduct offenses at Lehigh are heard by a single Hearing Officer, but hazing is usually serious enough that it is heard by a full panel of decision-makers. Both sides get to present their cases in full. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses. You also have the right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- Lehigh decides all misconduct cases using the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard. This standard states that you are guilty (“responsible”) if decision-makers are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- You can appeal a negative hearing outcome, but you must have grounds to do so. Lehigh limits grounds to issues of fairness, such as a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or an argument that your sanction is more severe than the offense deserves.
You should know that Lehigh does not allow attorneys to attend investigative meetings or hearings. You can request an “advisor,” but this person must be a “non-attorney” member of the campus community.
Do not let this policy convince you to forego hiring an attorney. The LLF Law Firm attorney can play a crucial role in building your defense, even if they aren't allowed to step one foot on campus. They'll help you to uncover evidence and map out your defensive strategy. They'll work with you to draft documents and create evidentiary exhibits. They'll suggest questions for witnesses and coach you on how to present your case.
Finally, they'll keep a close eye on proceedings to ensure you're treated fairly. That's especially important when a school refuses to grant you fundamental rights like access to legal counsel.
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 LLF Law Firm's Student Defense Team can make sure you're fully prepared to defend yourself. They can insist Lehigh 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 LLF 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.
