Hazing is taken very seriously at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and students found responsible can face significant disciplinary action. But the consequences don't end there. Hazing is also a criminal offense under New Jersey law, and both state and federal regulations exist to protect students from dangerous initiation practices. A violation can lead to long-term legal and academic repercussions.
If you're facing hazing-related criminal charges at NJIT and in Essex County, the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is ready to help. With experience in hazing cases, student discipline, and criminal defense, we'll work to protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcome. Call 888-535-3686 or fill out our contact form to get started on your defense.
Federal Anti-Hazing Law
In December 2024, a new federal law in the U.S. was passed to help prevent hazing on college campuses: The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA). It requires colleges to include hazing incidents on their annual Clery Reports, establish anti-hazing education programs on campus, and publish hazing prevention policies on their websites. Colleges also must publish the names of organizations that have violated the institution's hazing policies.
Until this law passed, many colleges and universities had hazing policies already in place or followed state anti-hazing laws. However, these regulations differed from state to state and from one college to the next, making reporting and prevention disorganized. Also, not all states have an anti-hazing law.
A federal law to prevent hazing sets a standard that all postsecondary institutions can follow. It creates a universal definition for hazing to provide clarity for students and families. While this development is intended to make college campuses safer, it could also unintentionally lead to more accusations of hazing. Colleges and universities forced to comply with this regulation might apply stricter standards to students and organizations in an effort to demonstrate that they comply with federal legislation.
New Jersey Anti-Hazing Law
In addition to the federal SCHA, New Jersey also makes hazing a crime. The legal definition of hazing is broad and extends far beyond the stereotypical depictions seen in movies or on TV.
Hazing involves two main elements: The context and the conduct itself. For behavior to qualify as hazing, it must occur in connection with the initiation or participation in a student or fraternal organization whose members are primarily students or alumni of a college or university. This definition includes far more than just fraternities or sororities; hazing can occur within any campus group, such as debate teams, club sports, choral groups, cultural clubs, or alumni associations tied to a school.
The second element of the statute prohibits certain acts, such as:
- Pressuring or forcing someone to break the law
- Making someone consume food, alcohol, or substances that could cause emotional or physical harm
- Engaging in physical abuse such as whipping, beating, branding, excessive exercise, or exposing someone to extreme elements
- Subjecting someone to mental or emotional harm, like sleep deprivation, isolation, or actions that cause serious embarrassment
- Any form of sexual abuse
- Any behavior that creates a significant risk of physical injury
The law specifically excludes "reasonable and customary" activities tied to athletics, military service, law enforcement, competitions, or training. For example, requiring a 20-mile hike might be considered hazing in a casual club setting, but not in a structured ROTC program. In hazing cases, context and intent matter, which is why having representation from the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is so important.
Criminal Penalties for Hazing Convictions in New Jersey
In New Jersey, hazing is typically classified as a disorderly person's offense (similar to a misdemeanor), but in more serious cases, it can lead to an indictable offense (similar to a felony):
- If the hazing results in bodily injury, it becomes a fourth-degree crime. A conviction can result in 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
- If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a third-degree crime. A conviction can lead to up to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
- A hazing disorderly person's offense can still result in up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Penalties aren't limited to individuals. Student or fraternal organizations that knowingly or recklessly promote hazing can also be fined up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $15,000 for subsequent violations.
Even a conviction for a lower-level hazing offense can have lasting consequences. It may appear on background checks, impact your ability to get licensed in certain professions, hurt your chances of getting into graduate programs, or disqualify you from scholarships and financial aid.
It's critical to take any hazing charge seriously. The Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team understands what's at stake. If you're facing hazing charges at NJIT, we're here to fight for your future.
Hazing Rules at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
NJIT expressly prohibits hazing by all students. According to the school's hazing policy, “No student shall take action, or create, or participate in any situation that recklessly endangers another person's psychological, mental, or physical health for the purpose of initiation to and/or affiliation with any organization, group, team, club, or cohort."
The Office of the Dean of Students handles hazing matters, including receiving hazing reports, investigating students and organizations, and deciding on penalties for those found responsible for hazing.
It's usually not easy to cover up hazing, as it's often a group activity. It's social by nature, not something that typically happens one-on-one. When multiple people are involved, there are multiple opportunities for someone to speak up or report what happened.
A typical hazing scenario involves a group of new members being subjected to mistreatment by existing members, often with others watching. This situation puts all members of a student organization at risk. Even if you didn't actively participate in the hazing, you could still be accused of involvement or failing to intervene.
Once hazing allegations are brought to campus officials or local law enforcement, they're likely to be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. If you're accused, police may want to question you and others present at the time. When it gets to this point, you need to seek legal representation. Politely tell the police officer, “I can't answer any questions without an attorney,” and contact the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team.
Penalties for Hazing at NJIT
Any student or organization that violates NJIT's hazing policy could face penalties from the university in addition to any fines or jail times resulting from criminal conviction.
The potential academic sanctions for individuals who engage in hazing at NJIT are:
- Fines
- Withholding diploma or transcript pending compliance with rules or payment of fines
- Loss of privileges, educational programs, or reflections
- Probation
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Expulsion
Student organizations found responsible for hazing at NJIT could face:
- Fines
- Loss of privileges, educational programs, or reflections
- Removal of university recognition
- Probation
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Expulsion
Defense for New Jersey Hazing Criminal Charges & Campus Hazing Charges
If you're facing hazing charges on campus, you need more than a typical local defense attorney. You need someone who understands the unique legal and academic challenges that college students face. The Lento Law Firm has a Criminal Defense Team, but we also have a New Jersey Student Defense Team. We have experience representing university students in Newark and across Essex County in hazing and misconduct cases. We recognize how your status as a student can influence both your legal case and your academic standing.
Our Criminal Defense Team is committed to protecting your rights and building a strong defense. When you work with us, you can expect:
- A thorough, independent investigation that uncovers all available evidence
- Clear guidance on your legal situation and options throughout the process
- Support navigating any university disciplinary proceedings related to your charge
- A detailed analysis of all possible defense strategies
- Pre-trial motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges when appropriate
- Help exploring alternative resolutions, such as plea agreements or pre-trial intervention
- Courtroom representation if you choose to fight the charges at trial.
We're here to guide you every step of the way. A criminal conviction can derail your academic progress and future career plans, but our Criminal Defense Team will work hard to protect everything you've worked for.
Contact the Lento Law Firm for NJIT Hazing Criminal Charges
We're here to help you fight the hazing charges you're facing. Don't let one incident jeopardize your college education and the future you've worked so hard to build. With our experience in both criminal defense and student disciplinary matters, the Lento Law Firm is prepared to craft a strong defense and pursue the best possible result for your case.
Call our Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation, or complete our contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you.
