Article: The Definitive Guide to Hazing in Texas for Families in Kerens, Texas

1. Hook + Overview: Understanding the Hazing Nightmare in Central Texas

Imagine receiving a call late at night. Your college student, a bright young man or woman you sent to a respected Texas university, is slurring their words, or worse, isn’t making any sense at all. Through a haze of confusion and fear, you piece together that they are at a fraternity house, a Corps of Cadets “event,” or a spirit group initiation. They were pressured to drink an entire bottle of liquor, perform hundreds of push-ups until they collapsed, or endure humiliating acts while older members filmed with their phones. When someone finally called for help, it was too late to prevent a trip to the emergency room—or a tragedy.

This is not a dramatization from a movie. It is the reality facing Texas families right now, including here in Kerens, Texas, and across Navarro County. We are seeing this scenario play out on campuses where our local students attend, from our own backyard in Central Texas to major universities across the state. As parents in Kerens, you deserve to understand exactly what hazing is, how Texas law protects your children, and what legal recourse your family has when powerful institutions fail them.

This comprehensive guide is written specifically for parents, students, and families in Kerens and across Texas. We will walk you through what modern hazing looks like, explain your rights under Texas and federal law, review major national cases that impact our state, and detail what is happening on Texas campuses, including those where Kerens students are most likely to enroll. Most importantly, we will explain how you can seek accountability and justice.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for any medical emergency.
• Then call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ for a reason.

In the first 48 hours, it is critical to:

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Conditions like rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) or internal trauma may not be visible.
2. Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted: Screenshot all group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, texts), photograph injuries from multiple angles, and save any physical items involved.
3. Write down everything your child tells you—names, dates, locations, specific acts—while memories are fresh.
4. DO NOT:
   • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly.
   • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company.
   • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” their social media.
   • Discuss details publicly online.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears with alarming speed. Universities and national organizations move quickly to control the narrative. We can help you navigate this crisis, preserve critical evidence, and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

2. Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

Hazing is no longer just about silly pranks or harmless traditions. It has evolved into a sophisticated, often digitally-coordinated system of coercion, humiliation, and abuse that endangers lives. For families in Kerens, understanding this evolution is the first step in recognizing danger.

A Modern, Legal Definition

In Texas, hazing is defined by law as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—whether on or off campus—that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or maintaining membership in any organization. Crucially, the victim’s “consent” is not a legal defense.

The Five Main Categories of Modern Hazing

1. Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains the most common and deadliest form.

• Forced consumption of dangerous amounts of alcohol during “big/little” nights, “family tree” drinking games, or “lineups.”
• Coerced use of drugs or unknown substances.
• Real Example: In the recent University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case, a pledge was allegedly forced to consume milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting, then immediately forced to sprint.

2. Physical Hazing: Often disguised as “conditioning” or “team building.”

• Extreme, punitive calisthenics (“smokings”) like 100+ push-ups or 500 squats until collapse.
• Paddling, beating, or “tackling” rituals.
• Sleep deprivation, food/water restriction, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Real Example: The same UH Pi Kappa Phi pledge allegedly suffered rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after such workouts, requiring a four-day hospitalization.

3. Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: Designed to degrade and break down personal boundaries.

• Forced nudity or simulated sexual acts.
• Wearing degrading costumes or carrying humiliating items (e.g., a “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms and sex toys, as alleged in the UH case).
• Acts involving racial, homophobic, or sexist slurs and role-playing.

4. Psychological Hazing: The invisible wounds.

• Verbal abuse, threats of expulsion from the group, and intense “grilling” sessions.
• Social isolation from friends and family.
• Systematic humiliation designed to erode self-worth.

5. Digital/Online Hazing: A 21st-century evolution that creates a 24/7 cycle of control.

• Mandatory, instant responses to GroupMe or Discord messages at all hours.
• Forced participation in humiliating TikTok challenges or Instagram dares.
• Geo-location tracking via apps like Find My Friends.
• Coercion to share compromising photos or videos.

Where Hazing Happens: It’s Not Just “Fraternities”

While Greek life is a high-risk environment, hazing permeates many campus organizations that Kerens students may join:

• Fraternities and Sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, Multicultural Councils).
• Athletic Teams (from football to cheerleading).
• Corps of Cadets and ROTC Programs.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups.
• Spirit and Tradition Organizations (like the Texas Cowboys at UT).
• Some academic, service, and cultural clubs.

The common thread is a power imbalance between new and old members, wrapped in the cloak of “tradition” and enforced by secrecy.

3. Law & Liability Framework in Texas

As a Texas-based law firm, we ground our practice in the specific laws that govern our state. For families in Kerens and Navarro County, understanding this legal landscape is empowering.

Texas Hazing Law (Education Code Chapter 37)

The Texas Legislature has created a clear, strong framework against hazing.

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. If the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it becomes a state jail felony. Individuals who fail to report hazing or who retaliate against reporters can also face misdemeanor charges.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer knew and failed to report it.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (Sec. 37.155) is explicit: a victim’s agreement to participate is irrelevant. The law recognizes that “consent” under peer pressure is not voluntary.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: To encourage help-seeking, individuals who report hazing in good faith are generally immune from civil or criminal liability stemming from the report itself.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: Two Paths to Accountability

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by: The State of Texas (via a district or county attorney).
• Goal: Punishment (jail time, fines, probation).
• Charges: Can range from hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors, up to assault, manslaughter, or negligent homicide in fatal cases.

Civil Lawsuits:

• Brought by: The injured student or their family.
• Goal: Financial compensation (damages) and institutional accountability.
• Claims: Negligence, gross negligence, negligent supervision, wrongful death, intentional infliction of emotional distress.

These two paths can—and often do—proceed simultaneously. A lack of criminal charges does not bar a civil lawsuit, where the standard of proof is lower.

Federal Laws That Overlay Texas Cases

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal funds to report hazing incidents more transparently and enhance prevention programs. This will bring more data to light by 2026.
• Title IX: If hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, federal Title IX obligations require the university to investigate and address the hostile environment.
• Clery Act: Requires universities to report certain campus crime statistics, which can include hazing-related assaults or alcohol crimes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit?

A thorough investigation aims to identify every potentially responsible party, which may include:

1. Individual Students who planned, participated in, or concealed the hazing.
2. The Local Chapter as an entity (if incorporated).
3. The National Fraternity/Sorority Headquarters for failing to supervise, enforce policies, or for having prior knowledge of dangerous traditions.
4. The University for negligent supervision, deliberate indifference to a known risk, or premises liability.
5. The University’s Board of Regents.
6. Chapter Housing Corporations that own or control the property where hazing occurred.
7. Third Parties like landlords, bars that provided alcohol, or security companies.

4. National Hazing Case Patterns: The Scripts That Repeat in Texas

Tragically, hazing incidents follow painfully predictable patterns. The same “traditions” that have killed students in other states are present on Texas campuses. Understanding these national cases shows Kerens families that what happened to their child is part of a larger, foreseeable—and therefore preventable—problem.

The Alcohol Poisoning Pattern

• Timothy Piazza (Penn State, Beta Theta Pi, 2017): Died from traumatic brain injuries after a bid-acceptance night of forced drinking. Brothers delayed calling 911 for hours. The case led to Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law and resulted in dozens of criminal charges.
• Max Gruver (LSU, Phi Delta Theta, 2017): Died from alcohol poisoning after a “Bible study” drinking game where wrong answers mandated drinking. This led to Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act, making hazing a felony.
• Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State, Pi Kappa Alpha, 2021): A pledge died after being forced to drink a bottle of alcohol. The case settled for a total of $10 million ($7M from the national fraternity, ~$3M from the university).

Takeaway for Texas Families: The “big/little night” or “pledge party” is a deadly script. National fraternities have seen this pattern for decades, which is a key argument for holding them liable when it happens again at a Texas chapter.

The Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

• Chun “Michael” Deng (Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi, 2013): Died from brain injuries after a blindfolded, violent “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote retreat. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of manslaughter and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years.
• Danny Santulli (Univ. of Missouri, Phi Gamma Delta, 2021): Suffered permanent, catastrophic brain damage after forced drinking. His family settled with 22 defendants, highlighting the web of liability.

Takeaway for Texas Families: Off-campus retreats and violent physical rituals are not “horseplay.” Courts and juries treat them as serious criminal acts and grounds for massive civil liability.

Athletic & Institutional Hazing

• Northwestern University Football (2023-2025): Allegations of widespread, sexualized hazing led to multiple lawsuits, the firing of the head coach, and confidential settlements. It proved hazing is not confined to Greek life.

What These Cases Mean for Kerens: These national precedents create a legal roadmap. They show that universities and national organizations can be held accountable, that multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements are possible, and that litigation can force real systemic change. When we investigate a hazing case at a Texas school, we use these national patterns to demonstrate that the harm was foreseeable and preventable.

5. Texas University Focus: Where Kerens Students Attend

Kerens students often pursue higher education at a mix of local colleges and the state’s flagship institutions. The hazing risks at these schools directly impact our community. Let’s examine the landscape at key universities.

5.1 The Flagship in Our Backyard: Texas A&M University

For many in Central Texas, Texas A&M in College Station is a top choice. Its unique culture carries specific hazing risks.

Campus Snapshot: A massive, tradition-rich campus with a highly visible Greek life community and the renowned Corps of Cadets—a military-style program with its own deep traditions.

Documented Incidents & Pattern:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Chemical Burns Lawsuit: In 2021, two pledges alleged they were subjected to strenuous activity and had substances—including an industrial-strength cleaner—poured on them, causing severe chemical burns requiring skin graft surgery. They sued for over $1 million.
• Corps of Cadets “Roasted Pig” Lawsuit: A 2023 lawsuit alleged a cadet was subjected to degrading hazing, including being bound between beds in a simulated sexual position with an apple in his mouth. The suit sought over $1 million in damages.
• Kappa Sigma Rhabdomyolysis Allegations: Ongoing litigation involves allegations of extreme physical hazing leading to the serious medical condition of rhabdomyolysis.

How a Case Proceeds: Investigations may involve Texas A&M University Police, the Bryan/College Station PD, and Brazos County courts. Civil suits can target the university (a public entity with certain immunities), the national fraternity, the local chapter, and individual cadets or members.

What Kerens Parents Should Know: The combination of a powerful Greek system and the intense Corps culture requires vigilant attention. Traditions are deeply defended, making internal reporting challenging. If your A&M student is injured, immediate evidence preservation and experienced legal counsel are critical.

5.2 University of Texas at Austin

As the state’s premier public university, UT Austin attracts students from Kerens and sets important precedents for transparency.

Campus Snapshot: A large, diverse campus with hundreds of student organizations. UT has been more proactive than many in publicly reporting hazing violations.

Documented Incidents & UT’s Public Hazing Log:
UT maintains a searchable online log of hazing violations. Recent entries include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): New members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new member education.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): An Australian exchange student alleged an assault at a party that resulted in a dislocated leg, broken nose, and other injuries, leading to a lawsuit.
• Various spirit groups and clubs have been sanctioned for forced workouts, alcohol hazing, and humiliation.

How a Case Proceeds: Jurisdiction may fall to UTPD or Austin Police. Travis County courts are familiar with complex litigation against the UT System. UT’s own public log of violations can be powerful evidence in a civil suit to show prior knowledge and pattern.

5.3 University of Houston

UH’s recent, high-profile hazing lawsuit makes it a critical case study for all Texas families.

Campus Snapshot: A major urban research university with a significant commuter and residential population and active Greek life.

The Leonel Bermudez / Pi Kappa Phi Case (Our Current Litigation):
This active $10 million lawsuit is a prime example of severe, modern hazing. We represent Leonel Bermudez, a UH student and Pi Kappa Phi pledge who allegedly endured:

• Humiliation: A mandatory “pledge fanny pack” containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices.
• Physical Abuse: Sprints, bear crawls, being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” and forced consumption of food until vomiting.
• Extreme Workouts: On November 3, 2025, he was forced through 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.
• Catastrophic Injury: He developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure, passed brown urine, and was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels.

The lawsuit names 17 defendants: the University of Houston, the UH System Board of Regents, Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters, its housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. Following reports, the national fraternity suspended the chapter, and members voted to surrender their charter.

Why This Matters for Kerens: This case demonstrates that the most severe hazing is happening right now in Texas. It shows the medical realities (kidney failure) and the complex web of defendants we pursue. It is not a historical footnote; it is active proof of the need for experienced, determined legal advocacy.

5.4 Southern Methodist University & Baylor University

These prominent private universities also have significant Greek life where Kerens students may enroll.

SMU: As a private, affluent campus, SMU has faced its own hazing scandals, including a Kappa Alpha Order chapter suspended in 2017 for paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.

Baylor: Known for its strong Baptist affiliation, Baylor has also confronted hazing within its athletic programs, such as a 2020 baseball team hazing incident that resulted in multiple player suspensions.

Takeaway for Private Schools: While sovereign immunity issues differ from public universities, private schools like SMU and Baylor can still be held liable for negligence and negligent supervision. Their disciplinary processes may be less transparent, making aggressive legal discovery even more important.

6. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: Public Records on Greek Organizations

At Attorney911, we don’t start from scratch. We maintain a proprietary data engine built from public records to map the Greek ecosystem in Texas. This gives Kerens families a unprecedented view of the organizations behind the letters.

Public Records Directory: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Entities Serving Texas Families

Using IRS tax-exempt organization data (B83 filings), university records, and commercial databases, we track over 1,423 Greek-related organizations across 25 Texas metro areas. This means we often know the legal names, Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), and addresses of the entities that may hold insurance and liability before we even begin a case.

Examples Relevant to Kerens & Central Texas:
Here is a sample of the type of public record data we utilize. These are not allegations, but factual listings from public filings:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Gamma Chapter Inc. | EIN: 273662583 | Lufkin, TX 75904 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Epsilon Mu Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity | EIN: 756203190 | Fort Worth, TX 76129 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation Inc. | EIN: 741380362 | Fort Worth, TX 76147 (IRS B83 Filing)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc. | EIN: 462267515 | Frisco, TX 75035 (Entity connected to the UH case – IRS B83 Filing)
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Rho Corp. | Austin, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – House corporation at UT)
• Delta Tau Delta – Gamma Iota Chapter | Austin, TX (Cause IQ Metro Listing – Chapter house at UT)

Why This Data is a Game-Changer for Your Case:

1. Identifies All Potential Defendants: We can quickly pinpoint the local chapter corporation, the alumni housing board, and the national foundation—all of which may have separate insurance policies.
2. Proves Institutional Knowledge: By cross-referencing national brands across metros (e.g., Pi Kappa Alpha appears in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont filings), we can show these are large, sophisticated organizations, not isolated clubs.
3. Expedites Investigation: We save crucial time by starting with a mapped landscape of liability, allowing us to focus on case-specific evidence and strategy.

For a parent in Kerens, this means the attorney you hire already understands the complex structure you’re up against and knows where to look for accountability.

7. Building a Hazing Case: Evidence, Strategy & Damages

Winning a hazing case requires converting a traumatic experience into a compelling legal narrative backed by irrefutable evidence. This is where deep investigative experience matters most.

The Evidence Pyramid: From Screenshots to Subpoenas

1. Digital Evidence (Most Critical): Deleted GroupMe chats can be recovered. Instagram DMs, Snapchat memories, and location data from phone records create a timeline. We work with digital forensics experts to preserve this evidence before it’s lost.
2. Medical Evidence: Hospital records diagnosing rhabdomyolysis, toxicology reports showing high BAC, and psychological evaluations documenting PTSD are the foundation of your damages claim.
3. Organizational Records: Through discovery, we subpoena the national fraternity’s prior incident reports, the chapter’s “pledge education” manuals, and the university’s past disciplinary files on the same group.
4. Witness Testimony: Other pledges, former members, roommates, and even sympathetic active members can provide crucial accounts. We know how to approach them to overcome the “code of silence.”

The Damages Your Family May Recover

Civil lawsuits seek to make the victim and family “whole” and to punish egregious conduct. Recoverable damages include:

• Economic Damages: All medical bills (ER, hospitalization, surgery, future therapy), lost wages, and the cost of disrupted education (withdrawn semester tuition).
• Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, humiliation, PTSD, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Wrongful Death Damages (if applicable): Funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound loss of love, companionship, and guidance for the family.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or malicious conduct, courts may award damages to punish the defendants and deter future behavior.

Overcoming Institutional Defenses

We anticipate and counter the standard defenses:

• “They Consented”: Texas law and national precedent reject this. We demonstrate the coercive power imbalance.
• “It Was a Rogue Chapter”: We use our data engine and discovery to prove the national organization knew of the risks through prior incidents at other chapters.
• “It Happened Off-Campus”: Liability is based on duty and control, not just geography. Nationals and universities that sponsor and supervise organizations retain responsibility.
• “We Have an Anti-Hazing Policy”: We show the gap between paper policy and actual enforcement, proving negligent supervision.

8. Practical Guides & FAQs for Kerens Families

For Parents: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: Get medical care immediately. Tell doctors exactly what happened—”hazing”—so it enters the medical record.
2. Become an Evidence Archivist: Help your child screenshot EVERY relevant text and group chat. Photograph injuries daily. Secure any physical objects (clothing, paddles). Write a detailed, dated narrative.
3. Report Strategically: You can report to campus police, the Dean of Students, and local police. Consult with an attorney first to understand the implications of each channel.
4. Communicate Through Counsel: Once you have a lawyer, let them handle all communication with the university, the fraternity, and insurance adjusters.
5. Focus on Your Child’s Recovery: The legal process is stressful. Ensure your child has access to mental health support from a professional experienced in trauma.

For Students: Your Rights and Safety

• You Have the Right to Leave: You can de-pledge or quit a group at any time, for any reason. Your safety and dignity are more important than any membership.
• “Good Faith” Reporting Protects You: Texas law and most university policies offer amnesty for those who call 911 in an alcohol-related medical emergency, even if you were drinking underage.
• Evidence is on Your Phone: Your group chats, photos, and location history are your most powerful tools for accountability. Do not delete them.

Critical Mistakes That Can Damage Your Case

• Deleting digital evidence.
• Confronting the organization and giving them a head start to destroy evidence and lawyer up.
• Signing a university “resolution agreement” without an attorney’s review, as it may waive your right to sue.
• Posting about the incident on social media, where defense attorneys will mine it for inconsistencies.
• Waiting too long. The Texas statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury. Evidence and witness memories fade fast.

Hazing FAQ for Texas Families

Q: Can we sue the university?
A: Yes, under certain conditions. Public universities have sovereign immunity, but it can be overcome with claims of gross negligence or violations of specific laws like Title IX. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity barriers. The specifics of your case determine the strategy.

Q: What if my child was drinking voluntarily?
A: Under Texas law, the victim’s consent is not a defense to hazing. The power dynamics and coercion inherent in the pledge process mean true voluntary consent often does not exist.

Q: How long will a lawsuit take?
A: Complex hazing litigation can take from 18 months to several years, depending on the defendants, the court’s schedule, and whether a settlement is reached. We prepare every case for trial to maximize settlement leverage, but most cases do resolve before a trial verdict.

Q: How are attorneys paid?
A: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and wrongful death cases. This means you pay no upfront fees. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery we obtain for you. If we do not win your case, you do not owe us attorney’s fees.

9. Why Attorney911 for Your Hazing Case

When your family in Kerens is facing the aftermath of hazing, you need more than a lawyer; you need advocates who understand the unique battlefield of campus institutional litigation. You need the insider’s knowledge of how national fraternities and universities defend themselves, and the proven experience to win against them.

Our Unmatched Texas Hazing Litigation Advantage

1. Insider Insurance Knowledge (Lupe Peña): Mr. Peña spent years as an attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows firsthand how insurance companies for fraternities and universities value claims, employ delay tactics, and argue coverage exclusions. We know their playbook because we used to help write it. This insight is invaluable in maximizing your recovery.

2. Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death Expertise: We have recovered multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for clients with life-altering injuries and for grieving families. We know how to work with economists and life-care planners to fully value the lifetime impact of a traumatic brain injury, permanent disability, or the loss of a young life.

3. Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello): Our firm was one of the few in Texas involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation—taking on a billion-dollar corporation with endless legal resources. We are not intimidated by national fraternities or major university systems. Our federal court experience and membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) prepare us for the hardest fights.

4. The Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine: As detailed in Section 6, we begin your case with a data-driven map of the Greek ecosystem. We don’t start from zero. We already understand the network of housing corporations, alumni chapters, and national entities that may bear responsibility.

5. Bilingual, Compassionate Service: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish (Se habla Español). We serve the diverse families of Texas with empathy and respect, guiding you through every step of a difficult process.

A Call to Action for Kerens Families

If hazing has hurt your child and your family, you do not have to navigate this crisis alone. The institutions involved will have teams of lawyers. You deserve a team that fights for you with equal firepower and greater dedication.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen carefully to your story, review any evidence you have, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you make the best decision for your family’s future and your child’s recovery.

Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). You can also reach us directly at (713) 528-9070, or via email at ralph@atty911.com. For Spanish-speaking families, contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com.

We represent hazing victims and their families across Texas, from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We are committed to holding powerful organizations accountable, securing justice for victims, and making campuses safer for all Texas students.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com | Spanish: lupe@atty911.com