If you've been accused of hazing at Liberty University, it's important that you take the situation seriously. This isn't like being accused of putting a hole in your dorm room wall. Liberty, like most colleges and universities, has a zero-tolerance policy towards hazing. The minimum penalty for students found responsible is usually suspension.
What does "taking the situation seriously" mean? It means educating yourself about the nature of the offense. You can't hope to defend yourself unless you understand exactly what it is you've been accused of doing. In addition, you need to find out everything you can about Liberty's judicial procedures. You need to know what the formal process is for defending yourself.
Most importantly, though, you need to find out how to get help defending yourself. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We've helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of misconduct charges, including hazing. Whatever your situation, we're on your side and ready to fight to ensure you get a fair resolution.
You need to contact us quickly, though. You can be sure Liberty 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 Liberty University
Hazing is a broadly defined offense at Liberty University. As a result, many students don't even realize they've committed hazing until they're charged. Let's start then by talking about just what constitutes an offense.
- Incidents involving physical violence are the ones that tend to make the news. However, you can also be charged with a hazing offense for humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning a pledge. In fact, in recent years, college students have been charged for simply preventing pledges from having time to study.
- You don't have to actually cause anyone harm to be charged with hazing. Liberty's policy includes the term “endangers.” If a reasonable person would view your activities as dangerous, that is enough to qualify.
- Hazing is often associated with Greek activities, but Liberty's policy makes no mention of fraternities or sororities. The fact is any campus organization and its members can be charged with hazing.
- Liberty's policy makes clear that the “willingness” of participants is not a defense to hazing. Because membership in the organization is at stake in a hazing ritual, all participation is necessarily “coerced.”
Hazing isn't just a matter of Liberty University policy. It's also prohibited under Virginia state law. However, while the university is required to follow the law, it is not limited in how it chooses to respond to allegations. State prosecutors may decide not to pursue charges against you. You could be charged by the state and ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. That will not prevent Liberty from pursuing its own case and imposing its own sanctions.
Any time your academic future is at stake, you need help. Lento Law Firm attorneys aren't just any attorneys. We're specifically focused on student issues. No one gives you a better chance of salvaging your future at Liberty than we do.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
Liberty University does not afford you as many due process rights as you'd receive in the criminal justice system or, indeed, at most other schools. However, you are entitled to a presumption of innocence ("not responsible"). In addition, Liberty must conduct an investigative inquiry into the charges before passing final judgment.
- All misconduct cases, including hazing, are handled by the Assistant Director (AD) of the Office of Community Life. Anyone may accuse you of an offense, but only the AD may issue formal charges.
- The university cannot investigate you in secret. If you've been charged, the AD will issue notice of those charges. This notice should include a full explanation of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
- The AD is responsible for conducting the investigation. As part of the process, you should have an opportunity to give your side of the story. Of course, the AD will also interview any complainants (accusers or alleged victims) and witnesses and collect all physical evidence.
- Hazing cases often take weeks or even months to complete. Liberty's judicial procedures suggest that you will likely have an opportunity to review evidence and respond to it, but it does not promise that.
- If you are facing suspension or dismissal, the AD will report their findings to a Conduct Review Committee (CRC) once the investigation is complete. The CRC then holds a hearing into the matter.
- You are not allowed to address the CRC directly. However, you can submit materials, including physical evidence and witness statements.
- Liberty's policy does not say just what standard of evidence is used in misconduct cases. Most schools, however, rely on the “preponderance of the evidence” standard. You are guilty if decision-makers are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- You can appeal a responsible (guilty) outcome. However, you must have grounds for such an appeal—for some reason, you believe you were mistreated by the process itself.
Liberty's judicial procedures make no mention of attorneys, and given just how limited student rights are under university regulations, it seems unlikely your Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to meetings and other proceedings. Don't let that dissuade you from contacting us.
It's our job to prepare you for all aspects of your defense, even if we can't actually attend that defense. We'll work with you to uncover evidence, for instance, and coach you in how to respond to investigative questions. We'll draft any necessary documents and create evidentiary exhibits.
Most importantly, we'll keep an eye on how you're treated. Any time a university restricts your basic due process rights, you need someone in your corner, looking out for your interests.
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 Liberty 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.
