Columbia Hazing Lawyer

In South Carolina, the law considers hazing a wrongful act. It is against the law for a student to harm or threaten harm to a subordinate student to punish, injure or humiliate them during initiation to a campus organization at any state-supported university, college or institution of higher learning according to SC code section 59-101-20. There is also the Tucker Hipps Transparency Act that requires universities and colleges to maintain updated public reports of conduct violations by Greek organizations affiliated with the schools. There is even a critical incident investigation at the University of South Carolina that addresses when there is a hazing incident, and it does an independent investigation.

Once an incident is reported and the leaders of the organization get an automatic suspension. The critical incident investigation team will interview all the students involved. Then, the team will report its findings to the office of student conduct and academic integrity, which will determine whether to pursue a conduct case. That procedure indicates the University of South Carolina takes the offense very seriously, but so does the state by criminalizing it.

It is best to speak to an experienced Columbia hazing lawyer to learn about your legal options, rights, and potential penalties. A knowledgeable student defense attorney could review the facts of the case and will try to build a defense to minimize or reduce the penalties.

Common Activities That Are Considered as Hazing

Greek organizations, fraternities, sororities, intramural teams, college teams, certain academic and social clubs, campus organizations, and underground groups not affiliated with the school could face severe consequences for hazing. Mainly, hazing is focused on the Greek organizations because the way it is dealt with is through fraternities at big colleges, and sometimes the smaller ones.

The common activities that are investigated in a campus hazing case revolve around parties, alcohol or drugs, and related to rush when people are pledging to fraternities and sororities. Hazing could be just that someone is constantly giving one of the students a hard time, through text messages, phone calls, and e-mails, and being incredibly demanding. The harassment could bear on the person’s mental health and well-being. A diligent Columbia hazing lawyer could investigate the alleged incidents and help students build a defense.

Common Types of Consequences and Penalties

Starting on the criminal side, common consequences for a person believed guilty of hazing is a charge under SC code 59-101-200. Even if no criminal charge is brought and if the university builds enough information to proceed, then a complaint could be filed, and they would have to go through its process. The student would have to appear before the student conduct and academic integrity office and defend themselves and maybe possibly have to go to a judicial conduct hearing and defend themselves against the accusation. Ultimately, if found responsible, it could lead to suspension and expulsion.

A person being hazed could be penalized depending on the facts and circumstances, and that is why they should go to a hazing attorney in Columbia as soon as possible.

Reach Out to a Columbia Hazing Attorney

The attorney can help students facing campus hazing charges by conducting an independent investigation and building the best defense possible, and either preparing the student for the next step of hearing or minimize and reduce the risk as much as possible for the student.

Let a Columbia hazing lawyer help your case. Call today.