You never want to take on a disciplinary misconduct charge on your own. That goes double if the charge is hazing. Not only do schools like the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus take such charges extremely seriously, but cases can be complex and difficult to navigate. Often, these cases involve dozens of students, and just sorting out who did what can be a nightmare.
Luckily, you don't have to take on a hazing charge—or any other disciplinary misconduct charge at the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus—on your own. Whatever your situation, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is here to help. We're committed to protecting your rights as a student, and we back up that commitment with a deep knowledge of campus judicial processes and experience representing hundreds of student clients. We'll use every resource at our disposal to ensure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
It's important you contact us quickly, though. You can be sure the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus 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 the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
It's always important to understand the charges you're facing. You can't hope to defend yourself if you're not clear on what it is you're supposed to have done. Understanding hazing charges can be especially difficult, though. The University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's anti-hazing policy is complicated, and it defines “hazing” in the broadest possible terms.
- As you would expect, "hazing" applies to any act performed as part of an initiation that might cause "physical harm" to another student. The policy goes further, though, barring acts that might cause "mental harm" as well. Mental harm can be difficult to define and difficult to diagnose. Ultimately, you could face charges for anything from simple harassment to preventing a pledge from getting a good night's sleep.
- Hazing is hazing if it creates a “significant risk” of harm. In other words, even if your initiation activity goes smoothly and no one complains, you could still face charges simply for creating the possibility that something might have gone wrong.
- Hazing isn't something that just happens in fraternities and sororities. The University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's policy refers more generally to “campus organizations.” That could include music groups, intramural sports teams, drama clubs, and even honor societies.
- The last sentence of the policy notes that the "willingness" of participants is "in no case" a defense to hazing. Any time membership is at stake, participation in hazing activities is assumed to be "coerced."
The University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's anti-hazing policy takes the unique step of referencing Ohio's anti-hazing law, known as Collin's Law. That law is strict and sets criminal penalties for anyone found guilty of hazing. Keep in mind, though, that it is separate from the university's policy. You can be charged with a campus offense at the same time you're charged with a criminal offense, and both can result in serious punishments. And even if Ohio decides you are innocent, that won't prevent the university from imposing harsh penalties like suspension and dismissal.
Any time your future is at stake, you need the best help you can get defending yourself. The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student defense. No one gives you a better chance of success.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
The University of Cincinnati-Main Campus can't simply charge you with hazing and impose a sanction. Under the university's own policy, you are entitled to due process protections. That starts with a presumption of innocence (“not responsible”). The school needs concrete evidence to find you responsible for (guilty of) hazing, and you always have the right to challenge any evidence it uncovers.
Here's what you can expect from the process.
- Student misconduct is under the purview of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Anyone can accuse you of hazing—pledges, organization members, other organizations, organization advisors, other students, faculty, staff, administration, security personnel.
- If the Office of Student Conduct decides to pursue charges against you, it will provide you with written notice of those charges. That notice should explain the charges and provide a complete list of your due process rights.
- One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor. This advisor can be anyone, which means you can bring the Lento Law Firm attorney with you to investigative meetings and other proceedings.
- The university cannot move forward without evidence to substantiate allegations. It must conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation, you're entitled to give your side of the story. You are also entitled to review any evidence investigators uncover.
- A hazing investigation can take weeks or even months to complete. Once their work is done, though, investigators turn over their findings to the Office of Student Conduct. The case then moves into its next phase—a hearing.
- The hearing gives you an opportunity to prove your innocence using physical evidence and witness testimony. The other side will make its case against you, but you'll also get a chance to refute its points and cross-examine its witnesses.
- All cases at the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus are decided using the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard. That standard requires decision-makers find you guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced you are guilty.
- If you should be found responsible, you still have the option to appeal the hearing outcome. You cannot appeal just because you disagree with the outcome, though. You must have “grounds,” such as a procedural error, new evidence to present, or a sanction that's more severe than the offense deserves.
The Lento Law Firm attorney can't speak for you. However, you can count on them to prepare you to speak for yourself. They'll help you to uncover evidence and map out your strongest arguments. They'll draft your hearing presentation and coach you in presenting it. Along the way, they'll make sure you're treated fairly and that you get every 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 the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus 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.
