When students are accused of hazing, everyone notices. Not just everyone on campus—students, faculty, and administrators—but everyone in the larger community. It's not unusual for hazing allegations to wind up on the local news. Occasionally, they even make national news.
The bottom line is that hazing offenses are not the sort of offenses you can handle on your own. If you've been charged—whether you're entirely innocent or you did make some sort of mistake—you need the very best help you can get. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm.
Why the Lento Law Firm? Because we're the premier firm in the country when it comes to representing students accused of disciplinary misconduct. Because our Student Defense Team was specifically founded to protect student rights. Because we've helped hundreds of students just like you to defend themselves from all types of charges, including hazing.
It's important you contact us quickly, though. You can be sure Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) 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 Southern New Hampshire University
It's not as easy as you might think to avoid a hazing charge at SNHU. Sure, you're committed to treating your fellow students fairly, and your organization takes care to follow all university guidelines. That may not be enough.
The thing is SNHU's anti-hazing policy is strict, and the definition of hazing is broad enough to include almost any sort of initiation activity. It's entirely possible to wind up charged with an offense without realizing you even made a mistake. For example,
- Hazing isn't just about the physical harm you might do to others. Hazing can involve “mental stress,” the infliction of “anxieties,” and conduct that “demeans, degrades, or disgraces” another person. In fact, SNHU goes so far as to outlaw any organizational activity that “does not contribute to the positive development of a person.”
- Hazing isn't just about the harm you do but about the harm you might do. If a “reasonable person” would view your actions as “likely” to cause harm, you're guilty of an offense. This means that even if nothing goes wrong during your hazing event, you can still face charges.
- Hazing isn't just something that happens in fraternities and sororities. In fact, those terms don't appear in SNHU's policy. Instead, the university uses the more general term “student groups.” Athletic clubs, honor societies, even religious organizations can be accused of hazing.
- You can be charged simply for participating in hazing, even if you were not directly involved in harming others. You can also be charged for failing to report knowledge you might have about hazing activities.
- You cannot avoid a hazing charge by obtaining pledges' consent. Even if everyone involved signs a waiver, it doesn't cover you. Once membership in the organization is on the line, no one can be said to “consent” to involvement.
It is worth noting that hazing isn't just contrary to SNHU policy. It's a matter of New Hampshire state law. However, while SNHU is required to abide by all minimum elements of state law, it is entitled to a stricter interpretation of hazing. That is, even if New Hampshire determines you are innocent of all hazing charges, that does not prevent the university from charging you, investigating you, or punishing you for an offense.
Most hazing cases end in either suspension or dismissal. Those are serious sanctions, and they warrant a serious response. You need the Lento Law Firm attorney in your corner, watching out for your interests and protecting your educational future.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
It's no easy task defending yourself from a hazing allegation. However, you are entitled to some important due process rights. As a starting point, you are "innocent until proven guilty" ("not responsible" until proven "responsible"). SNHU needs concrete evidence to find you responsible, and it must provide you with an opportunity to refute such evidence.
Here's what you can expect from the process.
- Any member of the SNHU community may lodge a complaint against you with the Community Standards office. However, this office must believe the complaint is credible before issuing a formal charge.
- If you are charged with a hazing offense, Community Standards will supply you with notice of that charge. Notice should include a full description of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
- The SNHU Code of Conduct does not mention a formal investigative process. However, the university cannot proceed without evidence substantiating the charges. As a result, it must conduct some type of investigation. As part of that investigation, you are entitled to give your side of the story. In addition, you have the right to review any and all evidence uncovered by investigators.
- Hazing investigations can be complex and sometimes take weeks or even months to complete. Once they are complete, the Community Standards sets a time and date for a hearing into the matter. SNHU maintains an administrative hearing process for minor disciplinary misconduct cases. However, hazing cases generally appear before a full Disciplinary Board.
- At the hearing, you offer evidence of your innocence, including witness testimony. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- Decision-makers then employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Far less strict than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” “preponderance” asserts that you are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- You can appeal a responsible (guilty) outcome, but not simply because you disagree with that outcome. You must have grounds for an appeal, such as a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
Unfortunately, SNHU does not allow attorneys to attend investigative meetings or other proceedings. That does not mean you should go it alone in your case. The Lento Law Firm attorney can prepare you for every part of the investigative and adjudicative processes, from coaching you in how to answer questions to uncovering evidence to drafting the content of your hearing presentation. We are always on your side, and we'll make sure the university treats you fairly and affords you every single right to which you are entitled.
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 Southern New Hampshire 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.
