Few university offenses carry the weight of a hazing offense. These are the kinds of offenses that make headlines, and any time a university is worried about bad publicity, you can expect it to be overly zealous in pursuing investigations and overly severe in punishing offenders.
If you've been charged with hazing at Texas A&M, this is not the sort of situation you want to handle alone. You need help. Professional help.
The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to protecting student rights. Our Student Defense Team has helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges, including hazing charges. We know how Texas A&M works, and we understand the university's administrative and judicial processes. We can show you how to use rules and procedures to your benefit.
We can't help you, though, if you don't contact us. Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at Texas A&M
The very best way to protect yourself from a hazing charge at Texas A&M is not to commit hazing. The thing is, that's not always as easy as it sounds. The university's definition of hazing isn't so much a definition as a list of unacceptable behaviors, and it's a long list that includes some entries you might not expect. For example,
- Hazing isn't just about the physical harm you might do to a pledge. It can involve “mental” harm as well. That brings a wide variety of potential offenses into play, from simple verbal harassment to interfering with an initiate's ability to study.
- Hazing isn't just about actual harm done to other students. A&M policy uses phrases like "potential resulting harm" and "unreasonable risk of harm." These mean that even if nothing goes wrong during your organization's event, you might still wind up charged with hazing simply for creating conditions that might lead to harm.
- You don't have to be directly involved in a hazing incident to be charged. You can be charged for planning events, encouraging policy violations, and even for simply failing to report knowledge you might have of hazing activities.
- Hazing is usually associated with Greek organizations, but A&M's definition does not make that distinction. Honor societies and cadet corps are liable to charges the same as fraternities and sororities.
- Hazing isn't just about initiation into an organization. It can be associated with any sort of organizational activity, including maintaining membership and inducting officers.
- Generally speaking, the "willingness" of participants is not a valid defense to hazing. By definition, pledges cannot "consent" to hazing activities because membership in the organization is at stake.
The university does not mandate specific penalties for hazing offenses. Like most schools, it prefers to base sanctions on the specifics of individual incidents. That said, you can usually expect suspension at a minimum if you're found responsible (guilty). Dismissal is also frequently applied in these cases.
Suspension and dismissal both include transcript notations about the nature of your offenses, and notations like these can cause you problems transferring, applying to graduate school, and even interviewing for jobs.
With so much on the line, you cannot afford to defend yourself. A Lento Law Firm attorney gives you your very best chance of a successful outcome.
Hazing Defenses
A hazing allegation doesn't have to lead to suspension or dismissal. You have some important rights as an A&M student, including the right to a presumption of innocence (Not Responsible). The university can't punish you without concrete evidence, and it must give you an opportunity to refute evidence at a formal hearing. However, processes and procedures can be difficult to navigate. You need someone on your side who can help you make the best possible use of your rights.
- Anyone at the university can accuse you of hazing, from organization initiates to other organizations to faculty and administrators. However, the university cannot proceed unless it believes the accusations are credible and actionable.
- The university must provide you with notice of any charges against you. This notice should contain important information for building your defense, including an explanation of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
- Among your due process rights, you are entitled to an advisor and to choose an attorney as your advisor. This means a Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to meetings and investigations to help you answer questions and present your case.
- An appointed Conduct Administrator conducts a full investigation into the facts of the case. As part of this process, you have the right to give your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- Often, hazing investigations are complex, involving dozens of students. As a result, they can take weeks or even months to complete. Throughout the process, you have the right to review any evidence investigators have uncovered.
- Once the investigation is complete, the university sets a time and date for a hearing before either a Conduct Administrator or an Administrative Hearing Panel.
- Both sides present their cases at the hearing. This includes the introduction of evidence and witness testimony. You also have an opportunity to raise questions about the other side's evidence and to cross-examine witnesses.
- The standard of responsibility at Texas A&M is "preponderance of the evidence." This standard requires decision-makers to find you responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- Finally, you have the right to appeal a responsible outcome. You must have grounds for this appeal, though, such as a procedural error, new evidence to present, or a disproportionate sanction.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you during investigative meetings and hearings. You are solely responsible for presenting your defense. However, your attorney plays a crucial role in helping you prepare your defense, from working with you to uncover evidence to mapping out your best lines of argument. They'll help you to outline your presentation and even give you practice in delivering your defense. Throughout it all, they'll be at your side to offer advice and to make certain that you're treated fairly.
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 Texas A&M 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.
