Few university offenses are as serious as hazing, and few cases are as complex as hazing defenses. The minimum sanction is typically suspension, and you should expect dismissal if you are found Responsible (guilty). Defending yourself, though, doesn't just involve establishing the facts of the case. You may need to offer careful interpretations of the University of Illinois, Chicago's anti-hazing policy. You may need to differentiate yourself from other defendants.
The good news is you don't have to take on a hazing case by yourself. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is always on your side and always ready to help. We were founded to protect student rights. We know the law, we know UIC policies, and we can be fierce when it comes to fighting for our clients.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at the University of Illinois, Chicago
The University of Illinois, Chicago doesn't operate in a vacuum. Its anti-hazing policy is modeled on Illinois state anti-hazing law. UIC's policy goes even further than the law, though. Here's what you need to know in order to avoid a charge.
- According to state law, hazing involves actual "bodily harm" committed during an organization's induction or admission activities. UIC begins there but adds some important further criteria. Hazing, for instance, can also include behavior that is "humiliating, degrading, or risks emotional […] harm." Further, you can be charged for interfering with "academic or social activities." In its list of examples, UIC includes forcing pledges to "run errands," "wear […] embarrassing clothing," and even participate in "scavenger hunts."
- UIC policy goes further than the law in another important way as well. It doesn't just outlaw actual harm. It outlaws any activity that creates a “risk” of harm.
- UIC's definition makes no mention of Greek organizations. Obviously, fraternities and sororities and their members can be charged with offenses, but the same is true of any other campus organization from intramural athletic clubs to honor societies.
- Hazing isn't just about initiation. It can involve any event related to admission into an organization or continued affiliation with an organization.
- Finally, UIC is clear that the “willingness” of participants has no bearing on whether or not an incident is classified as hazing. It doesn't matter if no one complains about your activities or if pledges all claim they freely participated. Hazing is hazing.
UIC does not prescribe specific sanctions for hazing offenses. Like most colleges and universities, it prefers to assign penalties based on the specific nature of the incident. Suspension and dismissal are always a possibility, though. Both the state and federal governments have taken an active interest in preventing hazing, and hazing is the kind of misconduct that draws public attention. Universities never want to seem soft on disciplinary offenses, and they'll sometimes even issue unfairly harsh sanctions to avoid it.
This is one of the most important reasons you need an attorney on your side if you're facing hazing charges. Your academic future is simply too important to risk. Dismissal from UIC is noted on your transcript, and that means you're probably not going to find another school willing to accept you. You must protect yourself at all costs.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
Just because you've been charged with hazing doesn't mean you'll be found Responsible. You have important due process rights, and you have the Lento Law Firm attorney to help make sure you get them.
- Anyone can accuse you of hazing, for instance, but the university must believe the charges are credible and actionable before issuing a formal charge. It is sometimes possible, in fact, to intervene in a case before you're charged and convince the school you're innocent.
- You are entitled to notice of the charges any time you're under investigation. This notice should provide details about the allegations and a list of your due process rights.
- You have the right to an advisor. The Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to investigative meetings and help you answer questions, and they can sit beside you during the hearing and help you present your case.
- You have the right to give investigators your side of the story. You can also submit physical evidence and suggest witnesses for them to interview.
- Hazing investigations can be complex. As a result, they sometimes take weeks or even months to complete. When they're complete, investigators turn over their findings to the university. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints a hearing committee to preside.
- At the hearing, you may offer any reasonable argument in defense of your innocence. You may further introduce evidence, including witness testimony. Of course, you may also challenge any aspect of the university's arguments and cross-examine its witnesses.
- UIC employs the legal standard “preponderance of the evidence” in deciding all misconduct cases. In simple terms, you are guilty if the hearing committee decides it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Finally, you are always entitled to fair treatment. If you discover new evidence that could prove your innocence or you can demonstrate that the university violated its own procedures, you have the right to appeal a Responsible (guilty) outcome.
You are entitled to an attorney. It's important you make the very best use of this right. Local and family attorneys aren't ordinarily experienced when it comes to campus judicial cases. They don't know educational law, and they don't know school policy.
The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to defending students. It's what we were founded to do. No one protects your rights like we do. No one gives you a better chance of success.
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 that UIC 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.
