Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is the largest public university in New Jersey and one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in the nation. Their primary campus at New Brunswick, NJ, actually predates the birth of the nation, as it was founded as Queen's College all the way back in 1766. Being accepted into Rutgers is a major achievement, and the school's diverse student population enjoys a culture of academic excellence, a thriving Greek Life and social scene, and a robust athletics program as part of the Big Ten Conference.
But a single hazing charge can cost you all of that and more.
The state of New Jersey takes hazing charges extremely seriously, and even a single charge can result in serious criminal penalties. There are strict laws in place both federally and at the state level that are designed to protect students from dangerous initiation practices. Violating these laws can have a serious impact on not just your academic career, but your entire future.
If you're facing hazing-related charges in the state of New Jersey, the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help. We understand the laws around hazing offenses and will do everything in our power to secure the best possible outcome for your case. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to get started on your defense.
How Does New Jersey Define Hazing?
New Jersey formalizes its definition of hazing in the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, which also classifies hazing as a criminal offense and prescribes penalties based on the severity of the incident. The law is named in memory of a NJ native who died as the result of a gruesome hazing incident at nearby Penn State University and made it easier for prosecutors to seek harsher penalties for hazing-related crimes.
Hazing is tied closely to initiation into an organization, whether that's a sports team, a sorority or fraternity, or any other club. According to this law, a person is guilty of hazing when they knowingly or recklessly engage in any of the following behavior in connection with applicants or existing members of the group:
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to commit an act that violates federal or state criminal law
- Causing, coercing, or otherwise inducing another person to consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to a risk of emotional or physical harm or is otherwise deleterious to the person's health
- Subjecting another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a physical nature, including, but not limited to, whipping, beating, branding, excessive calisthenics, or exposure to the elements
- Subjecting another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a mental or emotional nature, including, but not limited to, activity adversely affecting the mental or emotional health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact, or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment
- Subjecting another person to abuse, mistreatment, harassment, or degradation of a sexual nature
- Subjecting another person to any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the person.
It's important to note that even non-violent hazing activities—such as forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, or public humiliation—can still result in criminal charges and disciplinary actions from a university.
Hazing charges are generally categorized as disorderly persons offenses, but they may be elevated to fourth-degree crimes if the act results in injury and third-degree crimes if the act results in serious injury or death. These charges can include serious fines and other penalties.
Consequences of a Hazing Conviction in New Jersey
Any hazing conviction could seriously jeopardize your student career, as the school may choose to issue its own penalties up to and including expulsion. This could include loss of scholarship, removal from student housing, and other measures.
Many schools, including Rutgers, have zero-tolerance policies that could result in your suspension or expulsion even if your charges don't result in a conviction. School disciplinary measures are separate from any criminal proceedings related to your case, and you will need to hire a law team skilled in student defense to help you handle that side of things. The Lento Law Firm is uniquely skilled in handling both student discipline defense as well as criminal defense.
As for the criminal side, hazing charges can carry significant penalties. A conviction on any kind of hazing charge will result in a criminal record that will appear on background checks and could impact graduate school applications, job opportunities, and professional licensing for years to come.
Any hazing charge can also lead to jail time and fines. Disorderly persons charges, which comprise the majority of hazing charges, are punishable by up to six months in jail and fines of up to $1,000. If the charge has been elevated to a fourth-degree crime, it can carry a sentence of up to eighteen months in prison and a $10,000 fine. And if the incident was severe enough to warrant a third-degree charge, you can be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
NJ also allows for the state to seek punitive measures against the organization involved in the incident. These fines come at a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000 for an initial violation and $5,000 to $15,000 for each subsequent violation. Clearly, these can add up quickly and could cause significant financial issues for the organization.
Given these serious and potentially life-altering repercussions, it is critical to seek immediate legal representation as soon as you learn you are facing hazing charges. The Lento Law Firm is ready to build a strong defense and help you mitigate potential damage to your education and your future.
Hazing Incident Involving Theta Chi Fraternity at Rutgers
Rutgers takes a strict stand against hazing because, like many major universities, it has had its unfortunate share of past hazing incidents. A few years back, a lawsuit was filed against the school and the Theta Chi fraternity by 19-year-old student Armand Runte. The suit alleged that, during a pledging event in the spring of that year, Runte was severely injured in a fall after being compelled to consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Runte's fall resulted in multiple skull fractures and a brain bleed, but the lawsuit further claims that fraternity members delayed seeking medical assistance for approximately three hours and attempted to conceal evidence related to the incident.
Runte's case is chillingly similar to that of Timothy Piazza, for whom the NJ anti-hazing law is named, in that both young men were denied prompt medical attention due to inaction on the part of his fraternity “brothers.” Fortunately, Runte survived, but his case is a strong reminder that criminal acts happen all too frequently in the name of initiation. And it is just more incident in a long list of reasons why universities—as well as the government—are taking stricter stances against hazing of any kind.
What to Do If You Are Accused of Hazing at Rutgers University
If you or your child is facing hazing charges at Rutgers or anywhere else in the state of New Jersey, it's imperative that you act quickly to protect your rights and your future. Time is critical—contact qualified legal representation right away and follow any advice they give you. Your legal team will be able to provide specific guidance, but in general, there are a few things you should do:
- Do not speak to investigators alone. Remember that anything you say can be used against you, so it is best to politely decline to comment on anything until after you consult with an attorney.
- Create a record of communications. Save any and all text messages, emails, social media posts, or other evidence that may support your defense.
- Prepare for university disciplinary hearings. Even if charges are dropped, your school may still impose disciplinary measures up to and including expulsion. These are separate from any criminal charges, and you will be well served to find education-specific legal representation to help preserve your academic future.
Choose the Lento Law Firm
At the Lento Law Firm, we know every hazing case is different. We'll shape our custom defense strategy around the unique details of your case in order to give you the best possible outcome. While both Rutgers University and the state of New Jersey take hazing offenses extremely seriously, there are certain factors that can mitigate the severity of your case.
For example, context matters. Consent is not a defense in hazing cases, but the nature of the participation can affect how prosecutors handle the case. Similarly, the lack of physical evidence can turn a hazing allegation into a battle of uncorroborated testimony, which can result in reduced penalties or outright dismissal of the case.
The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team will also ensure that both Rutgers officials and any outside investigators properly follow due process procedures, as failure to do so could easily result in your case being thrown out.
We understand that people make mistakes, and we firmly believe that one mistake should not define your future. If you're facing hazing charges at Rutgers University or anywhere else, call the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or connect with us online to start on your defense today.
