You should never try to take on a disciplinary misconduct charge by yourself. Hazing charges, though, are a special kind of dangerous. Hazing cases often involve multiple accusers, multiple defendants, and dozens of witnesses. Once you've been charged with hazing, investigations can turn up all sorts of other allegations, from underage drinking to sexual misconduct. And hazing tends to be a very public offense. That means NC State University is under special pressure to throw the book at you.
Luckily, you don't have to deal with a hazing charge on your own. You have a number of important rights as an NC State University student, including the right to an attorney any time you've been accused of an offense. You want to make the most of this right, though. A local attorney just won't do. You need someone with experience handling student defenses, someone who knows NCSU's hazing policy, and someone who knows how to navigate the university's judicial system. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know exactly what you're up against, and we know how to handle it.
It's important you contact us quickly, though. NCSU 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 North Carolina State University
Hazing is a complicated offense, so complicated, in fact, that many of our clients don't even know they've violated school policy until they wind up accused. NCSU's hazing definition can be especially confusing. Rather than provide a straightforward description of what qualifies as hazing, the university lists five criteria that constitute "hazing." Meet any two, and you've committed an offense, like checking your symptoms to see if you've got the flu.
- Is your activity inconsistent with the purpose of the organization?
- Was it reckless or negligent in any way?
- Did it introduce “risk factors”?
- Did it introduce “vulnerability factors”?
- Did it interfere with academic activities or success?
Never mind the question of what "vulnerability factors" actually mean; such a policy makes almost any initiation activity suspect. Cause a pledge fear or anxiety, and you can wind up facing charges. For that matter, just holding an ordinary meeting might interfere with an initiate's "academic activities."
The university is similarly vague when it comes to the sanctions you might face for a hazing offense. NCSU maintains a list of sanctions that ranges from reprimand to expulsion. However, the general public and the North Carolina state legislature have increasingly pressured schools to impose harsh penalties. Most students found responsible for an offense face either suspension or dismissal.
Suspension and dismissal are serious enough in themselves, but both also come with a transcript notation describing the nature of your offense. That will bar you from transferring to any other North Carolina state school, and it may also keep you out of schools in other states. That's just the beginning of the problems such notations can create, though. They can interfere with scholarships, internships, graduate school applications, and even job prospects. Any time the stakes are that high, you need a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side to ensure you're treated fairly and that you get a just resolution to your case.
Defending Yourself from Hazing Allegations
Investigators and school administrators may try to scare you, but it's important you remember that you have rights as an NC State University student. Any time you're accused of misconduct—including hazing—you are entitled to a presumption of innocence (not responsible). The university cannot convict you without clear evidence, and it must give you an opportunity to refute any such evidence. In short, you are entitled to “due process.”
- The Office of Student Conduct handles cases of hazing. Any accuser is referred to as a “Complainant.” As the accused, you are referred to as the “Respondent.”
- If the Office of Student Conduct issues formal charges against you, it must provide you with notice of those charges. The notice must include a description of the allegations and a list of your due process rights.
- The first stage in the case is an investigation. The university needs evidence to substantiate its charges. You have the right to give your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses for investigators to interview.
- Hazing investigations can sometimes take weeks or even months to complete. Once they are complete, though, investigators submit their findings to the Office of Student Conduct, which sets a time and date for the next stage in the case—a hearing.
- Most hazing cases are serious enough that they appear before the university's Conduct Board. Both sides offer arguments to this board. You may support those arguments with evidence, including witness testimony, and you may challenge evidence being used against you.
- The Conduct Board applies a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence" when deciding your case. According to this standard, you are guilty if Board members are more than fifty percent convinced you are guilty.
- The final stage in the case is an appeal. However, you must have very specific grounds for your appeal, such as new evidence to present, an allegation of procedural error, or a complaint about the fairness of your sanction.
NC State University is relatively unique in providing you with the right to full legal representation. This means that not only can a Lento Law Firm attorney help you organize your defense, but they can also present that defense on your behalf. From uncovering evidence to examining witnesses, they'll take care of every aspect of your case and ensure you get the best possible resolution.
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 North Carolina 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.
