A crucial part of the high school experience is joining clubs, sports teams, or extra-curricular associations. This experience enriches your child's time at school, and it also helps them develop social, interpersonal, and even academic skills. However, there's always the risk that club initiations go too far or that someone misinterprets what should be a harmless prank as something sinister. In such cases, it's not uncommon for a simple “ritual” or “rite of passage” to lead to possibly serious hazing allegations. And in the worst cases, such allegations could cost a child their place at school – and damage their future.
If your child faces hazing accusations at an Illinois high school, don't delay in contacting the Lento Law Firm. Their education and their future are too precious to risk. Every moment counts – call 888.535.3686 or reach our team online to discuss representation.
What Is “Hazing”?
Hazing is often associated with colleges – particularly sororities and fraternities. However, hazing has a much wider definition.
The National Federation of High Schools defines hazing as any activity which:
- Could be deemed humiliating or dangerous; and
- Is “required” by a club or organization before a student can join, even if the student does not wish to participate.
Similarly, high school hazing is defined in Illinois state law as any activity not sanctioned by the school, which is required by a club associated with the school before a student can join, and which may result in bodily harm.
Types of Hazing
There are various activities that may be considered hazing rituals in IL high schools. Examples of hazing include:
- Forced consumption of food, drink, medicine, or products not intended for human consumption
- Excessive and forced physical activity
- Sleep deprivation
- Forced starvation or dehydration
- Burning, beating, or other forms of assault
- Name-calling, public ridicule, and implied threats
Some types of hazing are more subtle and include:
- Expecting new members or “rookies” to run errands for established members
- Deliberately isolating or shunning new members
- Deception and dishonesty
- Depriving new members of privileges simply due to their rookie status
It does not matter whether a student willingly participatesin the hazing, under Illinois law. All types of hazing are treated equally harshly by schools across the state.
Hazing and Bullying Laws in Illinois
There's no requirement for individual Illinois districts to adopt their own hazing policies. This is because hazing is clearly defined in Illinois statutes, and students are protected from such behavior across the state.
However, individual schools and school districts can adopt their own policies, which means the procedures for detecting, investigating, and preventing hazing in IL schools can vary considerably. This is why it's so crucial to hire an experienced school hazing defense attorney from the Lento Law Firm. We understand the nuances involved in school disciplinary procedures, and we know how to protect your child's right to due process.
Hazing Reporting Requirements
In Illinois, school officials and staff are legally obliged to report suspected hazing. They face significant penalties if they fail to do so. Unsurprisingly, then, school staff may be overeager or overzealous in reporting any behavior they believe could constitute hazing.
Given how seriously Illinois schools take hazing, even the slightest suggestion of wrongdoing could result in significant disciplinary action. And the moment a student is even accused of hazing, there's a risk of damaging their reputation at school among their peers, teachers, and support staff.
How Illinois High Schools Investigate Hazing Accusations
Although every school has slightly different disciplinary policies, they all have one thing in common. Schools act quickly and decisively to protect their own reputation when faced with possible hazing on campus. This means that your child's right to due process could be at risk – which is even more reason to call us sooner rather than later. Typically, the steps involved in hazing investigations are:
- The school will take immediate, interim action against the accused student, e.g., probation or suspension. Alton School District, for example, considers hazing gross misconduct, and any school in this district may immediately suspend a student accused of hazing.
- Then, the school collects initial evidence, e.g., interviewing possible witnesses and examining photographs.
- Only at this point, after these preliminary investigations have already been completed, may the student be notified of the accusations. There is no requirement to notify them prior to this point unless interim action is taken.
- The school conducts a hearing at which the student (or their attorney) can present their version of events. Although it is on the school to prove its case, the standard of proof is relatively low – it need only be more likely that the hazing took place than not for the school to find in the alleged victim's favor.
- The school disciplinary board decides how to proceed. If the accusations stand, then they will recommend disciplinary action. In Barrington School District, for example, expulsion is a last resort and students will only be expelled if the school can show there is no alternative. However, there is no guarantee that due process will be followed, or that all schools will follow these guidelines.
- You and your child have the right to appeal disciplinary sanctions such as expulsion or suspension. For example, Canton High School students can notify the principal within one calendar week of the decision that they wish to appeal. The decision may be reviewed, and the punishment mitigated, allegations dismissed or reaffirmed.
The bottom line is that school disciplinary investigations often lack the constitutional protections your child should receive if, for example, they faced criminal charges. That is why you need our attorneys working to protect your child's best interests immediately.
Sanctions for Hazing in Illinois High Schools
Schools can set their own sanctions for hazing in IL, which is in line with state law. Possible punishments include:
- Suspension: Students may be suspended following hazing allegations, even before the accusations are proven. This is because schools often act rapidly without giving students a fair chance to respond
- Expulsion: Schools such as Macomb High School reserve the right to expel students who bully, harass, or haze other students. This means permanently losing their place at the school.
- Social probation/loss of privileges: Students at schools such as Sycamore High School may lose the right to attend prom, dances, or other extracurricular activities.
- Mandatory Counseling: Some schools may require students to attend mandatory counseling for alleged hazing behavior.
- Civil Penalties: Schools or school districts may require the student to pay damages if the alleged hazing victim is harmed physically or emotionally.
Consequences of Hazing Accusations
For students dealing with hazing allegations, the consequences can be severe. The most significant possible ramifications include:
- Interference with academic progress: should they be suspended or expelled
- Damage to the student's social and personal relationships
- Loss of bonding and emotional development if they are banned from participating in extracurricular clubs or activities
- Difficulty transferring to another school, should they wish to move after hazing accusations
- A permanent mark on their disciplinary record, which could impede their ability to apply to college or join certain programs
There is also the risk of mental and emotional conditions, such as depression and anxiety, if the student is isolated from school or shunned by their peers following hazing allegations.
How to Respond to High School Hazing Allegations
Should you receive notice that your child is under investigation for suspected hazing in Illinois, your first goal is to remain calm. Remaining calm allows you to focus on how best to respond to the hazing accusations. Although you should contact us for representation, in the meantime, here's how you can effectively respond to and deal with hazing allegations at an Illinois high school.
- Encourage your child to explain exactlywhat happened. The more information you have, the easier it is to respond to the accusations.
- Get confirmation of the school's position in writing or by email. Make sure they confirm the date and time of any interviews and keep a record of all correspondence.
- Gather evidence, where possible. This can include pictures, emails, social media posts, and videos. The more evidence you have in your child's favor, the easier it is to protect them.
- Contact a student defense attorney. The Lento Law Firm will listen to what happened, fully explain your options, and empower you to choose the best way forward for you and your child.
Do You Need an Attorney for High School Hazing Accusations?
The short answer is yes. Remember, schools routinely handle administrative matters. They are deeply familiar with their own rules, protocols, and procedures. They often have their own legal counsel to whom they can turn for advice. Without this support, your child is disadvantaged. You could lose out on the chance to build the strongest possible case in your child's favor. And you could accidentally miss a deadline or fail to present the right evidence just because you're new to administrative procedures.
Hiring an experiencedattorney helps to offset these risks. Your attorney will do everything they can to present a strong, compelling, and convincing defense in your child's favor. And if the hazing accusations unfortunately endure, they will do what they can to minimize the punishment or sanctions imposed.
Your child deserves a fair chance to defend themselves, especially against unfounded or exaggerated accusations. Don't delay in seeking legal advice from our knowledgeable Student Defense Team.
How the Lento Law Firm Can Help
You might think that you should hire a local criminal defense lawyer or even a civil law attorney to help with your child's hazing case. However, here's why you should trust the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team to handle matters for you.
- Knowledge of school procedures: School procedures vary from campus to campus, but they all have one thing in common: they are complex; our Student Defense Team
- Passion for justice: We don't just care about securing a positive outcome. We care about what that outcome meansto you and your child. Fighting for justice is what inspires us. It's what motivates us to do everything possible to protect your child's legal rights and their future. Our passion for justice and commitment to fairness is unshakeable.
- Client-focused service: From the moment you contact us, you can expect compassionate service with a personal touch. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every client has confidence in our team. We will guide you through every step of the administrative process and answer any questions you have. You can relax knowing that your child's best interests are continuously protected by lawyers who care deeply about every client.
- Effective representation: Our team is determined to find the most effective and expedient solution to any case. After all, we know that your child's mental and emotional wellbeing is precious, and they deserve to move forward from this challenging time quickly. The moment you hire us, we will get to work on building an effective defense, challenging the hazing allegations, and negotiating a fairer outcome. And we will do so with the goal of bringing matters to the swiftest resolution.
As an aside, it's worth mentioning that, while local attorneys, of course,have their place, they often focus solely on criminal rather than administrative procedures. Although hazing can result in criminal accusations or charges, local attorneys may have limited knowledge of how to approach schools directly to negotiate a non-combative solution. The Lento Law Firm Team, on the other hand, thrives on finding ways to use administrative procedures to a client's advantage. And we will do the same for your child – no matter how complex the hazing accusations, we will do everything we can to assist.
Nationwide High School Hazing Defense Attorneys
At the Lento Law Firm, we routinely represent students across the US who face a range of potentially serious accusations, including allegations of hazing, bullying, or harassment. No matter where you live, or where your child attends school, our attorneys can assist. We can liaise with school boards and school officials across the country – no school is too remote for us to reach.
If you need a high school hazing defense attorney in Illinois, we are only a phone call or online message away.
Retain the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team
Hazing accusations can jeopardize even the most promising high school student's future. So, if your child is facing hazing allegations, there's simply too much at stake to leave anything to chance. And that's where the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can help.
Our team has the knowledge, experience, and, most importantly, the passion to vigorously defend your child against hazing allegations. When you retain us, we will immediately begin protecting their legal rights to due process. We will initiate negotiations with school officials and use our considerable understanding of school disciplinary proceedings to your child's advantage. It is our goal to bring matters to a swift and fair conclusion so your child can move forward and focus on the future.
Do not hesitate to contact us with any concerns you have about high school hazing accusations. Your child deserves legal advice and representation from attorneys who understand – and care – about what is at stake.
We are waiting and ready to assist. With the Lento Law Firm in your corner, your child will never stand alone. Contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team online or at 888.535.3686 to schedule a meeting.
