Colleges and universities take hazing extremely seriously. You can understand why. The University of Florida is under tremendous pressure from both the Florida legislature and the general public to respond to allegations. These are the sorts of charges that can end up with a university featured on CNN.
So, schools conduct zealous investigations and they impose harsh penalties on those found responsible.
The thing is, plenty of completely innocent students wind up accused of hazing every year. In its rush to maintain its reputation, UF doesn't always take the time to ensure everyone accused is actually guilty. They rush through investigations and hearings, and that's a recipe for injustice.
Even if you have been involved in hazing, though, it doesn't mean you deserve a harsh sentence, like suspension or dismissal. Colleges and universities across the country regularly impose these penalties when probation or some lesser sanction would do. We're here to defend you, too.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is well-versed in the law and all UF policies, including how judicial processes and procedures operate. More importantly, though, we're always on your side and ready to intervene on your behalf.
If you've been charged with hazing at UF, don't wait. 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 Florida
Of course, the first step to avoiding a hazing allegation at UF is to avoid hazing. That requires you to understand the school's anti-hazing policy. As mentioned, that policy is based on Florida state law. You can be sure, though, that UF makes its own independent decisions about whether or not to charge you with an offense, and it sets its own penalties. Even if you're cleared by law enforcement, that does not preclude UF from holding you accountable under its own judicial procedures.
What do you need to know to keep yourself out of trouble?
- First, hazing isn't just about physical harm. UF policy defines hazing as “Any action or series of actions that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health, physical health or safety of a Student for any purpose.” Harassment qualifies as hazing. Pressuring pledges to drink counts. Even just preventing an initiate from keeping up with their schoolwork can get you charged.
- Just as importantly, hazing isn't about actual harm. As the definition above suggests, you can be charged any time you put someone in danger of physical or mental harm. Furthermore, you don't have to intend to endanger anyone. If your behavior is reckless, that's enough.
- While hazing is typically associated with fraternities and sororities, UF's definition applies to any organization. In addition, it applies to all types of activities, not just initiation events.
UF makes no mention of the penalties it imposes for hazing offenses. Like most colleges and universities, the school prefers to assign sanctions based on the specific context of individual incidents.
That said, any time a misconduct offense has the potential to land you on the front page of the paper, you can be sure your university will overreact. That means the most severe penalties are on the table—both suspension and dismissal.
This is one reason it's so important to have the Lento Law Firm on your side. Any time your educational future is at stake, you must take it seriously.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
UF's anti-hazing policy is strict, and punishments can be extreme. There is one piece of good news, though: you are always entitled to due process. The university must treat you as "Not Responsible" (innocent) until you're proven "Responsible" (guilty). It can't prove anything without evidence. And you always have the right to challenge evidence as part of a formal hearing.
- Hazing accusations can come from almost anywhere, including initiates, organization members, other organizations, organization advisors, faculty, staff, administrators, and security personnel.
- If you are under investigation, the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR) issues you a Notice of the Charges. This notice should explain the allegations and your several due process rights.
- You have the right to an advisor and to choose an attorney to serve in this role. Your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot “represent” you, but they can accompany you to all meetings and proceedings and offer advice on answering questions and presenting your case.
- The SCCR then conducts a thorough investigation. They'll give you an opportunity to give your side of the story. They'll also interview any Complainants (accusers or alleged victims) and other witnesses, and they'll collect any physical evidence associated with the incident.
- Hazing investigations sometimes take weeks or even months to complete. Once they're complete, though, the SCCR then sets a time and date for a hearing before a Hearing Body.
- The hearing is your best opportunity to make the case for your innocence or explain your actions. You may introduce evidence, and you may call witnesses to testify. Of course, the other side will do the same.
- The Hearing Body then decides the case using the legal standard "preponderance of the evidence" as a guide. This standard requires them to find you guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- You can file an appeal if you lose the hearing, but you must have grounds for such an appeal, such as a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
Hazing cases can have a number of additional complexities. If there is a sexual component, for example, you may be subject to a Title IX investigation as well. It can sometimes be difficult to separate who did what. Beyond establishing the facts of the case, your defense could also involve subtle interpretations of school policy as well as terms like "consent," "organization," and "member." This is another reason why it is so important to have a Lento Law Firm attorney helping you prepare and deliver your case. We know UF judicial procedures inside and out. We can make sure you're prepared for whatever you may face, and we can show you how to use your rights effectively.
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 Florida 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.
