Let's not beat around the bush here. If you've been charged with hazing at Wake Forest, the situation is serious. How serious? Serious-enough-to-need-an-attorney serious. Cases can be extraordinarily complex, involving dozens of people and periphery charges. Sanctions can include dismissal from the university. And investigations are sometimes very, very public.
You don't want just any attorney, though. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team exists for the specific purpose of defending students from misconduct allegations like hazing. We know your rights, and we know how to use them to your advantage. We also know something most other attorneys don't—how to navigate a university investigation and hearing. We'll make sure that you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
It's important you contact us quickly, though. You can be sure WFU 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 Wake Forest University
Colleges and universities aren't messing about with hazing these days. Gone are the days when you had to wonder if your activity would qualify as an offense or not. These days, you can be relatively certain that any sort of initiation activity is likely to result in an investigation. WFU's anti-hazing policy prohibits five separate types of behaviors, and the list is pretty inclusive.
- Any conduct that “endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any student”;
- Any conduct that “unreasonably interferes with a student's academic, professional, or personal obligations”;
- Any conduct that “humiliates, disgraces, or degrades a student”;
- Any conduct that is “not relevant to a student's development with the context of the group, organization, or team”;
- Any conduct that is “excessive and unreasonable within the context of the group, organization, or team.”
That doesn't seem to leave much wiggle room. Note, for example, that the second item on this list would prevent an organization from requiring a pledge to give up a date on Friday night to attend an event. In fact, students have been charged in recent years for keeping pledges up too late at night and for keeping pledges from studying.
It is worth pointing out that the state of North Carolina maintains an anti-hazing law. Wake Forest's policy is stricter, however, and, importantly, it isn't in any way dependent on the law. WFU has the right to accuse you, investigate you, try you, and punish you, irrespective of what the state of North Carolina might do. In fact, the state could even find you innocent in court, and that would still not prevent WFU from dismissing you if it decided to.
Typically, suspension is the minimum penalty in hazing cases, and dismissal is common. If you've been charged, if you think you might be charged, you need to contact the Lento Law Firm immediately.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
For all the seriousness of Wake Forest's anti-hazing policy, the university can't simply accuse you and impose a sanction. You are entitled to due process. WFU must treat you as innocent (not responsible), for example, until it can prove you guilty (responsible). Proving guilt requires concrete evidence. At every step of the process, you have the right to raise questions about that evidence.
- The Dean of Students has jurisdiction over most misconduct offenses at Wake Forest, including hazing. Anyone affiliated with the campus can make a complaint about hazing, but the Dean must believe the complaint is credible before initiating an investigation.
- If you are under investigation, the Dean will provide you with notice of the charges. This notice should include a description of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
- Investigators should give you a chance to give your side of the story. You can also offer evidence and suggest witnesses for them to interview. In addition, they'll talk with complainants (accusers) and witnesses and collect any physical evidence associated with the case.
- Hazing investigations sometimes take weeks or even months to complete. When they are complete, investigators turn over their findings to the Dean of Students, who sets a time and date for a “Formal Resolution Meeting.”
- A single Conduct Officer may preside over this meeting, or the case may be heard by a Meeting Panel. In either case, both sides introduce evidence, including witness testimony, to support their arguments. You also have the right to raise questions for any witness testifying against you.
- WFU doesn't have to prove you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” It does have to use a lesser legal standard, though: “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are responsible (guilty) if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- If you are found not responsible, the case is over. If you are found responsible, you still have the option to appeal this outcome. Appeals must be based on issues of fairness, though, such as whether a procedural error occurred during the case, whether all evidence was available at the time of the hearing, and whether the sanction is fair and just.
Unfortunately, one right you don't have at WFU is the right to an attorney. The university will assign you an “advisor,” but this must be someone affiliated with the campus community.
It's important you don't let this dissuade you from contacting the Lento Law Firm. No one can prevent you from consulting an attorney, and we can help you construct your entire defense. We'll work with you to uncover evidence, identify your strongest lines of argument, coach you in responding to investigative questions, suggest questions for witnesses, prepare exhibits, outline your presentation, and even give you practice in making your arguments. Most importantly, we'll make sure WFU doesn't try to deny you any of your other due process rights.
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 Wake Forest 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.
