Are you a student (or the parent of a student) accused of hazing at Stockton University in New Jersey? If you're facing criminal charges for alleged hazing, it's vital to protect yourself with qualified legal help.
That's exactly what you'll find at the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team. Representing Stockton University students, our team helps thanks to our knowledge of both criminal proceedings and student discipline defense cases.
This is an important factor to keep in mind when you've been accused of hazing. The criminal case is just one element of the overall allegations. It's possible Stockton University will take action against a student accused of hazing, even if the criminal charges are ultimately dropped or a conviction isn't secured.
At the Lento Law Firm, our team understands the overlap between criminal cases and student discipline defense cases. If you or your child is facing hazing accusations, learn more about what we can do for you now by submitting your information via our online contact form or by calling our offices today at 888-535-3686.
New Jersey's Legal Definition for Hazing
New Jersey's hazing law, sometimes known as Timothy J. Piazza's Law (named after a Penn State University student who tragically passed as a result of a fraternity hazing incident), states that someone engages in hazing when they knowingly or recklessly commit or engage in any of the following in connection with initiating new or prospective members in an organization (like a frat):
- Causing, coercing, or in any other capacity inducing someone to violate state law, federal law, or both
- Causing, coercing, or inducing someone to consume food, drugs, beverages, or alcohol in a manner that could harm their health or put them at risk of experiencing physical or emotional harm
- Subjecting someone to physical abuse, degradation, mistreatment, or harassment, such as through whipping, beating, branding, etc.
- Subjecting someone to emotional or mental abuse, degradation, mistreatment, or harassment, such as through sleep deprivation or exclusion from social contact
- Subjecting someone to sexual abuse, degradation, mistreatment, or harassment
- Subjecting someone to any activity that results in a reasonable likelihood of said person sustaining bodily injury
Remember, particularly in a criminal hazing case, the burden of proof is on the prosecution to show that a crime of hazing has occurred. Our team can help by reviewing the case against you and identifying any limitations or weaknesses.
The Potential Criminal Penalties of a Hazing Conviction in NJ
The criminal penalties someone may face if charged with hazing at Stockton University in NJ can vary depending on numerous factors. Consider the following:
- Hazing constitutes a crime of the third degree in New Jersey when someone engages in a prohibited act that results in death or serious bodily injury to another
- Hazing constitutes a crime of the fourth degree when someone engages in a prohibited hazing act that results in bodily injury to another
- When hazing doesn't result in death, bodily injury, or serious bodily injury, it otherwise qualifies as a disorderly persons offense
The type of crime someone is convicted of in a hazing case will influence their sentencing. For example, if someone is convicted of a crime of the third degree, they may face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Other Potential Consequences of an NJ Hazing Conviction
The potential impact of hazing accusations at NJ's Stockton University extends beyond criminal penalties. The following are just some of the ways accusations and/or a conviction can affect a student's life:
- School penalties: Remember, a college or university's disciplinary case against a student is separate from a criminal case. Nevertheless, because they can influence each other, it helps to have legal representation from attorneys with experience in both student discipline defense and criminal defense cases. A college that finds a student has engaged in hazing can enact penalties ranging from cancellation of scholarships to expulsion. The school may be more likely to do so if there is a criminal conviction.
- Harm to reputation: Being convicted of hazing can negatively affect a student's reputation in various ways. For example, it might cause difficulty when they try to apply to another school or seek employment in the future.
- Related penalties: The nature of the alleged hazing can affect the long-term consequences for those accused of hazing at NJ universities and colleges. For instance, if a hazing incident allegedly involved sexual abuse, someone accused of hazing might also be accused of sex crimes. A conviction could theoretically result in the requirement to register as a sex offender.
This isn't meant to frighten you. However, it is meant to get you to take the matter seriously if you or your child has been accused of hazing at Stockton University. Enlisting proper legal help now can make a significant difference in the future.
New Federal Rules Impact Hazing Prohibitions
State law isn't the only law that can apply to hazing cases. Federal law also prohibits hazing. In 2024, President Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) into law, with the goal of improving hazing prevention and reporting on campuses throughout the nation. This is a noteworthy development as it marks the first-ever federal anti-hazing legislation in the US.
The main provisions of the law are as follows:
- Colleges and universities must now include hazing incidents in Annual Security Reports. This requirement could boost hazing reporting.
- Establishing campus-wide anti-hazing education programs to guard against hazing incidents occurring in the first place.
- Requiring colleges and universities to post their anti-hazing policies on their websites, along with a list of organizations that have been found to violate these policies. Such a move could help students and parents make informed choices regarding whether to seek participation in certain student groups and organizations.
Although the law is too new for its overall effect to be clear yet, it could result in an increased chance of a student being accused of hazing.
Steps to Take If You've Been Accused of Hazing at Stockton University
Being accused of hazing a Stockton University student can be overwhelming. In these circumstances, you might understandably wish to make yourself appear as cooperative as possible by offering up any information law enforcement or other such parties request.
This could be a mistake. Failing to protect yourself now may harm your case in the long run. If you've been charged with hazing, you should:
- Contact legal professionals: Don't speak with investigators alone. Whether they're cops or school officials, anything you say to investigators may be used against you. Instead, hire an attorney to speak on your behalf throughout the investigation.
- Maintain a record of evidence: Various forms of evidence might support your case. These typically include forms of communication, such as text messages, emails, calls, etc. You might also have evidence showing you have a proper alibi. Create a file or folder (multiple versions are ideal, so nothing gets lost) in which you preserve any evidence that might strengthen your case. Explaining the types of evidence to include is another way in which our lawyers can assist you now.
- Stay off social media: Don't discuss the case with anyone other than your attorneys. Making the wrong statements to people who aren't even connected with the case could nevertheless negatively affect its outcome if these statements get back to investigators. Similarly, you should never post about the case on social media. Investigators may monitor your social media presence for any posts that can strengthen their case. Most importantly, don't make the mistake of attempting to contact an accuser while a case is proceeding.
Knowing what steps to take upon being accused of hazing doesn't need to be as confusing as it may seem. With our team on your side, you'll have help from professionals who can guide you through every step of the process.
Contact the Lento Law Firm for Help With a Case Involving Hazing Allegations at Stockton University
The best defense strategy in a Stockton University hazing case will vary from one case to another. The following are just some of the strategies we might employ in a case like yours:
- Arguing that, due to a lack of injury, risk of injury, or other such factors, the alleged behaviors or acts don't technically qualify as hazing under the law
- Arguing that you may have been present during a hazing ritual or incident, but that you were not a participant
- If available, providing evidence to strengthen an alibi or providing evidence showing that you've been the victim of mistaken identity
- Arguing that what appears to be hazing might in fact serve a valid and legal purpose, such as physical training for members of a sports team, being mistaken for hazing due to the challenging physical nature of the training
Those are merely examples. At the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team, we understand that hazing cases can be complex. We'll review your case thoroughly to develop and implement the right defense strategy for your needs.
We'll also apply our familiarity with student discipline defense matters to offer thorough protection when hazing accusations at Stockton University threaten to derail your academic future. To find out more about what we can do for you or your child, get in touch with us today by submitting your information through our online form or by calling our offices at 888-535-3686.
