Few people still defend hazing at colleges and universities. There have been too many injuries and deaths over the years to justify mistreating pledges and initiates.
Unfortunately, those injuries and deaths have left their marks on American education. Colleges and universities like Yale can be overly zealous in policing their student bodies. They sometimes turn innocent incidents into evidence of hazing. They accuse perfectly innocent students. They issue sanctions that are far more severe than misconduct deserves.
The bottom line is that they treat hazing as one of the most egregious offenses any college student could possibly commit. And if you should find yourself accused of hazing, you cannot afford to handle it on your own. You'll find the weight of the university against you. You need someone in your corner, someone defending your rights. That someone is an attorney from the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. We know how Yale's judicial procedures operate, and we've helped hundreds of students, just like you, defend themselves from every conceivable charge, including hazing.
You can trust your case to us, but you can't afford to wait. The moment you're charged with hazing, call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Hazing at Yale University
Yale's anti-hazing policy ultimately derives from Connecticut's anti-hazing legislation. That law is relatively innocuous, especially when compared to other states' statutes. Punishments for individuals, for instance, are no more than a maximum $1,000 fine. As Yale's policy points out, though, it goes "beyond these state laws," both in terms of defining hazing and in terms of prescribing punishments for participants.
- As a starting point, it is worth noting that Connecticut law does not distinguish between actual harm and "endangering" others. In other words, if your actions could lead to harm, they qualify as hazing, even if no actual harm occurred.
- Likewise, the law—and Yale policy—makes clear that hazing need not be “intentional.” If your actions recklessly endanger others, they qualify as a violation.
- Where the law only talks about “health and safety,” though, Yale policy doesn't end at “physical” harm. You can be charged for any actions that “intimidate, denigrate, or humiliate.” An unkind remark or an inappropriate joke can be enough to trigger an investigation.
- Hazing is frequently associated with Greek activities. According to Yale, however, hazing applies to all groups, including athletic clubs, musical societies, comedy groups, and “tour guides.”
- Yale further promises to take action against hazing whether incidents occur on or off campus.
- University policy notes that witnesses are liable just as much as active participants. Organization membership can also be charged based on whether or not they knew about the activities beforehand.
- And finally, no one can “consent” to hazing mistreatment. Once membership is conditional on enduring such mistreatment, the concept of “consent” is null and void.
Colleges and universities are generally vague when it comes to attaching specific penalties to specific misconduct, and Yale is no exception. That said, the university generally treats hazing as a serious offense. Organizations can be barred from campus, and individual students can be suspended and even dismissed for participating in hazing.
Defending Yourself From Hazing Allegations
If you've been charged with hazing, it's important that you know that you have a number of important due process rights. Yale must treat you as “Not Responsible” (innocent) until you are proven “Responsible” (guilty). The university must have clear evidence of your guilt, and it must give you the opportunity to refute that evidence at a formal hearing.
Here's how the process typically works.
- Anyone can accuse you or your organization of hazing, including members, other organizations, other students, faculty, administration, staff, and security personnel. Yale must then decide whether or not the accusations are credible.
- If you're under investigation, Yale will provide you with a Notice of the Charges. This document should explain the allegations and describe your several due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to an advisor. The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you, but they can be on hand at all meetings and hearings to help you answer questions and present your defense.
- You have the right to give your side of the story to investigators. Further, you can submit evidence in support of your innocence and suggest witnesses.
- Ultimately, investigators are tasked with submitting a full report of their findings. You are allowed to review this report and any other evidence against you.
- Once it receives the investigative report, the university sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints one or more trained decision-makers to conduct proceedings.
- At the hearing, both sides have the right to introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. In addition, you may cross-examine any witnesses against you.
- At the conclusion of the hearing, decision-makers use a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to determine whether or not you are Responsible for (guilty of) the offense. According to this standard, they must find you Responsible if they are more than 50 percent convinced of your guilt.
- Finally, you can appeal a hearing outcome. However, you must have sufficient grounds, such as the discovery of new evidence, an allegation that a decision-maker had an unfair bias against you or a procedural error.
Hazing Allegations at Yale University
Yale judicial procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate. A successful defense involves not just a clear grasp of the facts but an ability to make subtle distinctions about university policy. You can't afford to take on your case alone. You can't afford to allow someone with no experience handling campus misconduct offenses to conduct your defense. You need the Lento Law Firm attorney. Only the Lento Law Firm attorneys possess the unique combination of knowledge, background, and experience to guide you through this process.
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 pressure Yale to afford you every right you deserve. 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.
