Hazing is a relatively common issue among schools and universities both in Georgia and throughout the country. Consider the following statistics on hazing at U.S. colleges and schools:
- Approximately 1.5 million high school students in the U.S. experience some form of hazing every year
- About 47% of students enter college having already experienced hazing
- 74% of student-athletes will experience at least one instance of hazing during their college careers
- More than half of all students who participate in fraternities, sororities, and other such organizations will experience hazing, although they may not label it as such
- 71% of U.S. students report witnessing hazing incidents involving alcohol
Hazing can seriously endanger student safety. Thus, schools and universities often take swift action against students accused of hazing.
Theoretically, this is a wise approach. Showing students there are consequences for hazing may be an effective way to curb it.
That said, in their zeal to punish students accused of hazing, universities can make mistakes. They may punish innocent students because the burden of proof in these cases is lower than it may be in criminal cases. Or, they may dole out unreasonably harsh punishments.
You don't need to face criminal charges to benefit from legal assistance when you've been accused of hazing. If you're facing consequences ranging from probation to expulsion due to hazing allegations at a Georgia university, get in touch with the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. We're on hand to protect your rights. Get started today by submitting your information through our online contact form or calling our offices at 888-535-3686.
What is the Legal Definition of Hazing in Georgia?
Georgia's anti-hazing law is known as the Max Gruver Act. It defines hazing as:
- Subjecting a student to an activity that either endangers their physical health or is likely to endanger their physical health or
- Through social or physical pressure, coercing a student to “consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to a likely risk of vomiting, intoxication, or unconsciousness.”
The law also states the above qualify as hazing regardless of whether a student consented to participate in such acts. In hazing situations, a student may give their consent because they feel social pressure to do so.
It's important to keep in mind that the legal definition of hazing in Georgia only applies to criminal cases. A school's own definition of hazing may not be exactly the same as Georgia's definition.
Georgia Law Requires Schools and Universities to Publicly Disclose Hazing Incident Information
Unlike many other states, Georgia's anti-hazing law also addresses how schools and universities should guard against and respond to hazing incidents. Per the law, any school or university in Georgia must have policies in place:
- Allowing for the “reporting, investigation, provision of due process, and administrative adjudication” of alleged hazing incidents involving students and/or student organizations
- Facilitating “public disclosure of administrative adjudications of hazing or hazing-related convictions.”
The law requires schools to publicly disclose hazing-related administrative adjudications and convictions within 15 calendar days of adjudications being finalized or public notice of criminal convictions being posted.
Along with publicly disclosing information regarding hazing-related administrative adjudications or convictions involving its students, a school must prominently post the following information on its website:
- The name of any school-related organization involved in the hazing incident
- The date or dates when hazing incidents occurred
- A description of the findings, sanctions, adjudications, or convictions relevant to a particular hazing incident
Under the law, schools must keep this information on their websites for a minimum of five years following a final adjudication or conviction. Fortunately, the law doesn't require schools to personally identify students allegedly involved in hazing incidents, even after final adjudications or convictions.
Nevertheless, such a law can influence how universities in Georgia respond to alleged hazing incidents. Be aware that school administrators understand that hazing incidents can harm their schools' reputations, potentially affecting enrollment numbers. Administrators may be particularly sensitive to this in states where the law requires schools to publicize information about alleged hazing convictions and adjudications involving their students.
It's possible the administration at your school will respond very quickly and strictly to allegations of hazing. If you've been accused of participating in a hazing incident, protect your rights and your future by enlisting the help of legal professionals. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is available to guide you through an investigation with confidence and peace of mind.
Common Forms of Hazing
Surveys and studies indicate the following are among the most common forms of hazing on and near college campuses in the U.S.:
Being pressured to participate in a drinking game
- Being pressured to drink large amounts of alcohol, often to the point of becoming sick or passing out
- Being pressured to consume very large quantities of non-alcoholic beverages, which can still be unsafe
- Being berated, screamed at, or otherwise verbally mistreated by members of an organization a student is attempting to join.
Those are merely common examples. A thorough review of hazing incidents across the country indicates hazing can take many forms.
Thus, there can sometimes be debate regarding whether certain activities and acts qualify as hazing. The fact that you participated in an act a school has classified as hazing doesn't always mean the school is in the right. If it appears you're facing penalties for acts that don't qualify as hazing, our Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will consider this when representing you.
Potential Consequences if Someone Accuses You of Hazing at a Georgia University
No one can guarantee how a university will penalize students it finds responsible for hazing. A school's own policies will influence the consequences students found responsible for hazing face. Those involved in determining penalties for hazing might also account for such relevant factors as:
- Whether a student has been involved in any other incidents requiring disciplinary action
- The severity of a victim's injuries or the degree of danger hazing put them in
- The extent to which a student directly participated in hazing, as hazing incidents can involve multiple participants
- Whether hazing accusations have resulted in criminal charges
Common penalties students face when they've been found responsible for hazing include:
- Probation
- Formal reprimand
- Loss of the option to live on campus
- For student organizations, loss of funding or other forms of support
- Suspension
- Expulsion
The consequences of a hazing accusation can jeopardize a student's future in many ways. For example, perhaps an accusation leads to your eventual expulsion.
Completing your degree may now be quite difficult. You can't expect the university that expelled you to “change its mind” and let you back in. Unfortunately, other schools may be disinclined to accept a student who was expelled from another school for hazing.
You must also consider how future employers may learn about any disciplinary action taken against you for alleged participation in hazing incidents. Although a school won't name you when publicly listing information about hazing incidents in Georgia, in the digital and social media age, there are many ways a potential employer could learn about your past. It's possible an employer won't want to hire you after discovering you've been in trouble for hazing.
This isn't meant to frighten you. However, it is meant to help you better understand just how serious the situation can be when you've been accused of hazing. You may not be facing criminal charges, but that doesn't mean your future isn't at risk.
One of the best ways to protect yourself is to imagine you are facing criminal charges. By hiring qualified attorneys with the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team to manage your case, you can be certain you've taken steps to prevent accusations from derailing your academic or professional career.
A Georgia University May Not Follow Due Process in a Hazing Investigation
Another unique quality of Georgia's hazing law is the fact that it states schools should have policies in place facilitating the “provision of due process” in hazing investigations. Such language benefits students accused of hazing, as universities and schools throughout the nation are known for disregarding due process when investigating such cases.
Due process has many elements in a criminal case. They often include:
- Providing someone with adequate notice of any allegations against them so they can arrange a proper defense
- Giving someone the opportunity to defend themselves or tell their side of the story when they've been accused of wrongdoing
- Allowing a jury or other neutral decision-maker to render a decision about whether someone accused of wrongdoing will face penalties
Essentially, due process exists to prevent anyone from being subject to arbitrary or excessive exercise of power on the part of the government.
Universities may not always consider due process when investigating and disciplining students for alleged hazing. Although the wording of Georgia's anti-hazing statute does specify that schools must allow for due process, there remains the possibility that a university won't follow proper procedures when handling these cases.
It's often easy for universities to violate the rights of students during hazing investigations. This is partially because students often aren't thoroughly familiar with their rights.
That's one more reason to hire a lawyer when you've been accused of hazing. At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team is committed to protecting the rights of students and ensuring schools handle these cases fairly.
What Not to Do When Someone Accuses You of Hazing in Georgia
Being accused of hazing can be a frightening experience. Understandably, your first impulse may be to cooperate by participating in interviews and freely answering anything that's asked of you.
That's normal. However, it's important to keep in mind that, as with a criminal case, anything you say during an investigation could be used against you later.
The following are ways you should NOT react upon learning of a hazing accusation:
- Don't participate in interviews or answer questions until you've spoken with attorneys first
- Don't post about the case on social media
- Don't discuss the case with anyone aside from your lawyer
- Never lie about anything related to the case
Stressing about what to do and not do in these circumstances is unnecessary. When you hire the Lento Law Firm's Student Defease Team, you'll have professionals on your side who can explain how you should behave and what your responsibilities are throughout an investigation.
We Defend Students Accused of Hazing Throughout Georgia
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team handles cases involving hazing accusations at such major Georgia universities as:
- University of Georgia (Athens)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta)
- Emory University (Atlanta)
- Georgia State University (Atlanta)
- Georgia College (Milledgeville)
- Agnes Scott College (Decatur)
- Berry College (Mount Berry)
- Mercer University (Macon)
That's by no means an exhaustive list. If you attend school anywhere in Georgia and you're facing disciplinary action due to accusations of hazing, we're prepared to offer the defense you need.
Potential Defenses in Georgia Hazing Cases
Lawyers may employ various defenses in these circumstances. The right defense for you will depend on the specific details of your case. Common examples of hazing defenses include:
- A student was a witness to a hazing event, not a participant
- A student has an alibi
- The act the student was accused of doesn't qualify as hazing
- This is the first time a student has ever been in trouble, and any penalties they face should be relatively lenient accordingly
At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team tailors our strategy to the unique needs of an individual client. We'll thoroughly review the details of your case to ensure we're taking the most effective and proactive approach.
Georgia Student Defense Attorneys Can Help When You're Accused of Hazing
Hazing allegations can have serious implications for your future. It's vital that you protect yourself by hiring professionals qualified to defend you when a school or university is investigating you for hazing.
Our Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm offers services tailored to the needs of students who may not be facing criminal charges but must instead navigate an internal university investigation. Learn more about how we can help by calling our offices today at 888-535-3686 or contacting us through our online form.
