Because hazing often serves to initiate new members into student organizations like fraternities and sororities, which are active on college campuses in Oklahoma, you might assume college is the place where virtually all Oklahoma hazing incidents occur.
That's not necessarily so. Research and surveys indicate that approximately 1.5 million high school students in the US experience some form of hazing every year. In fact, about 47% of new college students in the US enter college having already experienced hazing.
High schools in Oklahoma have a duty to protect their students. Private schools also need to consider how hazing incidents can affect their reputations. These are just two reasons why it's not uncommon for high schools to harshly penalize students who participate in hazing incidents.
Take these matters seriously if you're an Oklahoma high school student or the parent of one who's been accused of hazing. While the case may not involve criminal charges, seeking professional legal assistance now is still vital.
At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team has unique experience defending Oklahoma high school students facing school investigations. Find out more about how we can assist with your case by submitting your information through our online contact form or calling us at 888-535-3686.
What Qualifies as Hazing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's anti-hazing law defines hazing as an activity in which someone recklessly or intentionally puts the mental or physical health of a student at risk for the purpose of initiating them into an organization.
The law offers several examples of hazing. They include:
- Whipping
- Beating
- Forced consumption of drugs, alcoholic beverages, or any other substances
- Exposure to the elements
The law also specifically provides examples of hazing that, although it might not involve physical danger, nevertheless could put the mental health and safety of a victim at risk. Examples include:
- Sleep deprivation
- Prolonged isolation from social contact
- Forced behavior that has the potential to result in significant embarrassment
Again, the above are merely examples. They don't cover all the different types of conduct that may qualify as hazing at an Oklahoma high school.
The law also states that consent doesn't alter the nature of a hazing incident. Because acceptance into a student organization is often contingent on whether a new member agrees to endure a hazing ritual, their ability to properly give consent is limited.
Additionally, the law states that schools in Oklahoma should provide students with copies of their anti-hazing policies. However, the law doesn't state that these policies need to mirror that of the State. It's possible individual school districts and private schools in Oklahoma may establish their own anti-hazing policies that could be stricter than the law.
Common Forms of Hazing at Oklahoma High Schools
According to surveys of students, the following are among the most common forms of hazing in the US:
- Drinking games
- Forced consumption of large quantities of alcohol to the point of becoming ill or passing out
- Forced consumption of large quantities of non-alcoholic beverages
- Being compelled to sing or chant in public settings where such behaviors might draw attention
- Being woken in the middle of the night by other members of a student organization
- Being subject to verbal abuse or harassment by other members of a student organization
The surveys that provided the above information focused on college students. It's possible that some forms of hazing that are common on college campuses are less common in high school. For example, due to lack of access, high school hazing incidents may be less likely to involve drinking games or forced consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Potential Consequences of Hazing Accusations at an Oklahoma High School
School administrators may consider various penalties for students they find have participated in hazing incidents in Oklahoma. Examples include:
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Probation
- Loss of various privileges
A student accused of hazing at an Oklahoma high school should be aware that the penalties they face may have long-term consequences. For instance, perhaps a high school student has plans for the future that involve attending a particular college to pursue a particular career.
Being disciplined for participating in a hazing incident can interfere with—or even completely derail—those plans. The college a student dreams of attending may not be inclined to accept them if they've been suspended or expelled from their high school for hazing. Depending on a student's career goals, this could present a major roadblock.
Future employers may even learn how a student was disciplined for a high school hazing incident. Although this is unlikely, if it were to happen, it could influence a potential employer's decision to hire (or not hire) an applicant.
We don't make these points to cause you even greater stress. At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team lawyers simply believe it's important for our clients to understand the significance of their cases. Because we appreciate the way hazing accusations in high school can follow a student throughout life, we offer a dedicated defense.
A Note on Due Process in Oklahoma High School Hazing Investigations
Hiring attorneys with experience representing students accused of hazing is wise for many reasons. One of those reasons is the fact that a student in these circumstances may need someone on hand to guard against due process violations.
In a criminal case, everyone from the cops to the prosecution must abide by the rules of due process. This is key to ensuring fair treatment for the accused.
No school can violate the law when punishing a student based on hazing accusations. That doesn't mean school investigators and administrators are always as rigorous about following the rules of due process as they should be.
There are various ways a school may ignore due process when handling this type of case. Examples include:
- Failing to notify a student of accusations made against them in a reasonable timeframe, preventing them from working on their defense
- Not explaining a student's rights, such as the right to have attorneys present during interviews, hearings, meetings, etc.
- Not providing sufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof before disciplining a student
Hopefully, a high school won't violate your rights or the rights of your child when investigating their case or determining the outcome. However, because there's no guarantee a school will play by the rules, it's helpful to have legal assistance from professionals who can step in when a student's rights are violated.
What Not to Do When Someone Accuses You of Hazing in Oklahoma
Being accused of hazing as an Oklahoma high school student is a stressful experience. It's easy to act rashly when you fear for your academic and professional future.
That means it's also easy to make mistakes that can negatively influence the outcome of a case. Examples of what NOT to do when you've been accused of hazing an Oklahoma high school include:
- Approaching your accuser to discuss the case
- Discussing the case socially
- Posting about the case on social media
- Discussing the case with other students who may also have been accused of participating in the incident
- Attempting to defend yourself
- Agreeing to participate in interviews, hearings, or other such meetings without a lawyer
This highlights yet another reason to speak with lawyers when facing hazing accusations. At the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team, our attorneys can help you navigate every step of this process, guarding against errors that could otherwise affect your case's outcome.
We Defend Students Accused of Hazing Throughout Oklahoma
The following are just some of the Oklahoma cities and metro areas whose students we serve:
- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa
- Norman
- Lawton
- Edmond
- Stillwater
- Broken Bow
- Enid
- Shawnee
That's by no means a complete list. If you live anywhere in Oklahoma, and you're a student or the parent of a high school student facing disciplinary action due to hazing accusations, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is available to help.
Potential Defenses in Oklahoma High School Hazing Cases
No two high school hazing cases are exactly alike. At the Lento Law Firm, we prioritize offering services tailored to the individual needs of our clients.
There's no telling exactly how we'll approach your case. We need to learn about the specific details before choosing a defense strategy that's right for you.
That said, there are certain general defense strategies that lawyers may consider when defending students accused of hazing in Oklahoma. The following are noteworthy examples. While we may not end up using any of these strategies when defending you, they should give you a sense of how lawyers protect the rights of students in your situation.
Basic defense strategies in high school hazing cases include:
- Identifying weaknesses in the case: It's the responsibility of a school to prove that accusations of hazing are true. Attorneys can identify weaknesses in the case against a student, showing how a school has failed to meet the burden of proof necessary to justify taking disciplinary action.
- Proving an alibi: A student might have an alibi if someone else falsely accused them of participating in a hazing incident. Maybe a student with a grudge made false accusations to get another student in trouble. Or, a student may have falsely accused another of hazing due to mistaken identity. In either case, if a student has a genuine alibi showing they couldn't have participated in a hazing incident, their lawyers can help them gather and present evidence accordingly.
- Showing a student was a witness: Some hazing incidents occur at parties and other crowded social events. In these settings, it can sometimes be difficult to know who is directly participating in a hazing incident. It may thus be possible to show that a student accused of participating in a hazing incident was actually merely a witness to it.
- Arguing an incident was staged: Some students may record staged versions of hazing incidents to post the videos online for various purposes. A student who appears in such a video might be facing disciplinary action accordingly. Although filming staged hazing incidents isn't advisable, if a lawyer can show an alleged hazing incident was staged, their client may avoid harsh penalties.
- The behavior doesn't qualify as hazing: The law in Oklahoma identifies examples of hazing while stating that hazing may consist of behaviors and activities the law doesn't mention. Similarly, school policies might not list every single activity that can qualify as hazing. As such, when a student faces accusations, a potential defense strategy could involve arguing that the behavior they're accused of doesn't qualify as hazing according to the relevant policies.
Once more, the above are just examples. The more we learn about your case, the more we at the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can develop a strategy tailored to its specific details.
Lawyers Can Negotiate Deals in Oklahoma High School Hazing Cases
Negotiating is another option lawyers may consider when representing students accused of hazing. In a criminal case, a lawyer might negotiate a plea deal or bargain in which their client agrees to enter a guilty plea in exchange for lenient sentencing.
A lawyer may negotiate for a similar type of deal in a high school hazing case. By citing such relevant factors as a student's minimal disciplinary history, they can show how any penalties they face should be reasonable.
Oklahoma High School Student Defense Attorneys Can Help When You're Accused of Hazing
Lawyers can provide many forms of valuable assistance to Oklahoma high school students who are being investigated due to hazing allegations. Examples of ways our attorneys may help you now include:
- Reviewing a case and explaining how it may proceed so a student knows what to expect
- Explaining what a student should and shouldn't do as their case unfolds
- Representing a student during interviews, meetings, etc.
- Gathering evidence that strengthens a student's case
- Identifying weaknesses in a school's case against a student
It's natural to worry when facing hazing accusations. You'll feel more confident navigating the situation if you have representation from qualified legal professionals.
At the Lento Law Firm, you'll find attorneys who know how to handle high school cases, which often differ from criminal cases in many ways. Learn more about how we can help with your case by calling us at 888-535-3686 or contacting us through our online form.
