Texas Hazing Laws: A Comprehensive Guide for Families in Marion County

The phone rings late, a frantic whisper from your child away at college. Or perhaps you notice the subtle shifts – the unexplained injuries, the sudden secrecy, the exhaustion that goes beyond normal student stress. For families in Marion County, sending a child off to a Texas university is a source of immense pride, but it often comes with an underlying current of worry, especially concerning the hidden dangers of hazing. It’s a reality many hope to never face, yet it can unfold at any campus across our great state.

Imagine a scene: It’s “initiation night” at an off-campus fraternity house near a major Texas university. Your child, desperate to belong, is being pressured to drink far beyond safe limits. Older members are chanting, filming on phones, laughing as the situation escalates. Someone falls, vomits, or collapses, but a chilling consensus emerges: nobody calls 911 because they’re afraid of “getting the chapter shut down” or “getting in trouble.” Your child feels trapped, caught between a powerful group and their own safety. While this specific scenario has played out tragically across many campuses, it could easily happen at any Texas university—including schools where Marion County families send their children.

This comprehensive guide is written for families like yours, right here in Marion County and across Texas, who need to understand the complex world of hazing. We delve into what hazing truly looks like in 2025 – beyond the old stereotypes – and how both Texas and federal laws address this enduring problem. We will connect major national hazing cases to what is happening at our state’s prominent institutions like the University of Houston (UH), Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University. Most importantly, we’ll explain your legal options, demonstrating how an experienced Texas hazing attorney can help.

We want to be clear: this article provides general information. It is not specific legal advice. However, The Manginello Law Firm is here to evaluate individual cases based on their unique facts. We serve families throughout Texas, including Marion County, offering robust legal counsel when you need it most.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies, without hesitation.
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate help – that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.” Prioritize their health above all else.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately.
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles, ensuring clear detail.
  • Save physical items, such as damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or any objects used in the hazing.
• Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was involved, what happened, when it occurred, and where it took place.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal consultation.
  • Post details on public social media.
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” any evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears quickly due to deleted group chats, destroyed property, and coached witnesses.
• Universities often move swiftly to control the narrative.
• We can help preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights.
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

The image of hazing often conjures up outdated movie scenes of paddle lines and forced calisthenics. While those still exist, hazing in 2025 is far more insidious, pervasive, and often happens under the guise of “tradition” or “bonding.” For Marion County families unfamiliar with modern Greek life or campus organizations, understanding its true nature is the first step toward prevention and protection.

Hazing, in plain English, is any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in a group, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, or exploits. This can happen whether a student explicitly says “yes” or not; “I agreed to it” does not automatically make it safe or legal when there is peer pressure and a significant power imbalance.

Main Categories of Modern Hazing

Organizations are constantly adapting their methods, but most hazing falls into these key categories:

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains one of the deadliest forms. It involves forced or coerced drinking, often through chugging challenges, “lineups” where pledges consume drinks in rapid succession, or dangerous “games” designed to induce extreme intoxication. It can also include pressure to consume unknown substances or drugs.
• Physical Hazing: Beyond the classic paddling, this includes extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” that push pledges far beyond safe physical limits. Sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, and exposure to extreme cold, heat, or dangerous environments are also common. These tactics are designed to break down individuals, not build them up.
• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: This devastating category can include forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts like “roasted pig” positions, or wearing degrading costumes. It often includes acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones, using slurs or forcing pledges into degrading role-play that chips away at their self-respect.
• Psychological Hazing: This form of hazing can leave invisible, but deep, scars. It encompasses verbal abuse, threats, forced social isolation, constant manipulation, and coerced “confessions.” Public shaming, whether in face-to-face meetings or via social media, is a potent weapon of psychological control.
• Digital/Online Hazing: With technology integrated into every aspect of student life, hazing has moved online. This includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and others. Pledges can be subjected to perpetual scrutiny, constant demands to be online, and pressure to create or share compromising images or videos.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

It’s a common misconception that hazing is exclusive to fraternities. While Greek life is often implicated, hazing casts a wider net across campus organizations:

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes traditional Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (CPC) organizations, as well as National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) (historically Black Greek letter organizations), and multicultural Greek groups.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These groups, with their emphasis on discipline and tradition, can sometimes be ripe for hazing under the guise of “training” or “earning your place.”
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Organizations: Groups like the Texas Cowboys or other spirit groups, some academic clubs, or cultural organizations can also fall prey to hazing rituals.
• Athletic Teams: From football and basketball to baseball, cheer, and other sports, hazing can occur within team dynamics, justified as “team building” or “toughening up” new players.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even these seemingly benign organizations can foster environments where hazing takes root.

The grim reality is that social status, the allure of tradition, and an intense code of secrecy allow these dangerous practices to persist, even when participants know hazing is illegal and explicitly prohibited. For Marion County students, understanding that hazing can occur anywhere they seek belonging is crucial for their safety.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

For Marion County families navigating the aftermath of a hazing incident, understanding the legal landscape in Texas is paramount. Both criminal and civil pathways exist to address hazing, and they operate differently.

Texas Hazing Law Basics

Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Subchapter F (Hazing). In plain terms, § 37.151. Definition clarifies that hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that:

• Endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, AND
• Occurs for the purpose of pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members include students.

This means if someone forces or pressures a student into doing something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they acted with intent or were reckless about the risks, that’s hazing under Texas law.

• It can happen on or off campus, underscoring that location does not diminish liability.
• Harm can be mental or physical.
• Intent isn’t always malicious; “reckless” behavior—knowing the risk and proceeding anyway—is sufficient.
• Crucially, under § 37.155. Consent Not a Defense, even if the victim “agreed,” it’s still a crime if it meets the hazing definition, recognizing the coercive nature of these power dynamics.

Criminal Penalties for Hazing (Texas Education Code § 37.152):

• Hazing that does not cause serious injury is generally a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• If hazing results in an injury requiring medical treatment, it becomes a Class A Misdemeanor.
• If hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be prosecuted as a State Jail Felony.

Additionally, failing to report hazing (if you are a member or officer aware of it) and retaliating against someone who reports hazing are also misdemeanors.

Organizational Liability (Texas Education Code § 37.153):
Organizations—including fraternities, sororities, clubs, and sports teams—can be held criminally liable for hazing if they authorized or encouraged it, or if an officer or member acting in an official capacity knew about the hazing and failed to report it. Penalties can include fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and the university can revoke the organization’s recognition and ban it from campus. This highlights that both individuals and the organization can face criminal accountability.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (Texas Education Code § 37.154):
Individuals who, in good faith, report a hazing incident to university authorities or law enforcement are immune from civil or criminal liability stemming from that report. Texas law and many university policies also often provide amnesty for students who call 911 for medical emergencies, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved, encouraging seeking help without fear of personal repercussions.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases at a Glance

While both aim for accountability, criminal and civil hazing cases serve different purposes:

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (prosecutor) with the goal of punishing individuals through jail time, fines, or probation. Hazing-related criminal charges often include specific hazing offenses, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and, in tragic fatal cases, manslaughter.
• Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their surviving families against individuals and organizations. The primary aim is monetary compensation for damages and to hold responsible parties accountable. Civil claims often focus on negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring or supervision, premises liability, and emotional distress.

It is important to note that these two legal processes can run concurrently, and a criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a successful civil Hazing case.

Federal Overlay: Preventing Hazing Nationwide

Beyond Texas law, federal legislation also plays an increasing role:

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant federal law requires colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen their prevention and education efforts, and maintain public data on hazing. This is being phased in by approximately 2026 and will provide critical information for families and advocates.
• Title IX and Clery Act: When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, it can trigger obligations under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. The Clery Act requires colleges to disclose campus crime statistics and security policies, and many hazing incidents overlap with Clery-reportable crimes when assaults, alcohol, or drug offenses occur.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

For Marion County families considering legal action, understanding who can be held responsible in a civil hazing lawsuit is crucial:

• Individual Students: Those who planned, orchestrated, supplied alcohol, carried out the acts, or actively participated in concealing them can be named as defendants.
• Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, if it operates as a legal entity, can be sued. Individuals acting as officers or “pledge educators” often bear significant responsibility.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and nominally supervises local chapters, can be held liable. Their liability often hinges on what they knew, or should have known, about the local chapter’s behavior, especially in light of prior incidents at other chapters.
• University or Governing Board: The educational institution itself, or its governing board, may be sued under theories of negligence, gross negligence, or, in some cases, federal civil rights violations. Key factors include the university’s prior knowledge of hazing, its enforcement of policies, and whether it showed “deliberate indifference” to known risks.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or owners of houses or event spaces where hazing occurred, providers of alcohol (under specific dram shop laws), security companies, or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, and not every party will be liable in every situation. An experienced attorney can meticulously analyze the facts to identify all potential responsible parties and avenues for accountability.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

When seeking accountability for hazing in Marion County, it is important to remember that Texas cases do not exist in a vacuum. Major hazing incidents across the country have shaped legal precedents, public awareness, and institutional responses, creating a landscape of “foreseeability” that impacts every university and Greek organization. These anchor stories highlight recurring patterns and the serious stakes involved for families.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most tragic and common pattern in hazing involves extreme alcohol consumption, often with fatal consequences.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (February 2017): Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old pledge, died from traumatic brain injuries after a “bid acceptance” event involving forced, rapid alcohol consumption. Surveillance cameras within the fraternity house captured him falling repeatedly, severely injured, but brothers delayed calling for help for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the creation of the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. This case fundamentally shifted the legal landscape, demonstrating the severe consequences of extreme intoxication, delayed medical help, and a pervasive culture of silence.
• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (November 2017): Coffey, a pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. He was given a handle of hard liquor and consumed it to dangerous levels. The incident resulted in multiple members being prosecuted for hazing, a temporary suspension of all Greek life at FSU, and a statewide anti-hazing movement in Florida. Coffey’s death reiterated that formulaic, tradition-driven drinking nights are often a script for disaster.
• Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (September 2017): Gruver died from alcohol toxicity (BAC 0.495%) after a “Bible study” drinking game where pledges were forced to drink heavily for incorrect answers. His death spurred Louisiana to enact the Max Gruver Act, a felony hazing statute. This case vividly demonstrated how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of lethal hazing practices.
• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (March 2021): Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, was forced to consume an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” night, dying from alcohol poisoning. The case led to multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related charges, a $10 million settlement for the family (including nearly $3 million from BGSU and $7 million from Pi Kappa Alpha national), and strengthened Ohio’s anti-hazing laws. Foltz’s death underscores that universities, even public ones, can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Beyond alcohol, physically brutal and ritualized hazing incidents continue to claim lives and cause severe injuries.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College / Pi Delta Psi (December 2013): Deng, a pledge, died from traumatic brain injuries after being blindfolded, weighed down with a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a “glass ceiling” ritual at a remote fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Fraternity members delayed calling 911. The national fraternity was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, and the organization was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. This case proved that off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous, or even more so, than on-campus parties, and that national organizations face serious sanctions for their chapters’ conduct, regardless of location.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing isn’t confined to Greek life; major athletic programs have also been implicated in systemic abuse.

• Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): In a scandal that rocked collegiate sports, former Northwestern football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program spanning multiple years. The allegations led to multiple lawsuits against Northwestern and its coaching staff, the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald (who later confidentially settled a wrongful-termination lawsuit), and a major reckoning for the university. This incident highlighted that hazing extends beyond Greek life into high-profile athletic programs and raised serious questions about institutional oversight and accountability.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families in Marion County

These national cases, though geographically distant from Marion County, provide critical context and legal precedent for hazing cases in Texas:

• Common Threads: Recurring themes across these tragedies include forced drinking, public humiliation, physical violence, deliberate delays in seeking medical care, and systematic cover-ups.
• Accountability: Multi-million dollar settlements and significant legal reforms often only occur after tragedy and tenacious litigation.
• Foreseeability: These incidents establish a pattern of knowledge for national organizations and universities. When a Texas chapter of, say, Pi Kappa Alpha, engages in alcohol hazing, the national organization can no longer claim ignorance of the risks, given the deaths of Stone Foltz and David Bogenberger.
• Legal Precedent: The successful lawsuits and criminal prosecutions in these cases offer guidance and leverage for Marion County families seeking justice in Texas courts.

By understanding these national lessons, families facing hazing at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, or Baylor can approach their situation with a clearer understanding of the stakes and the potential for holding powerful institutions accountable.

Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor

For families in Marion County, understanding the specific environments at Texas’s major universities is crucial. While Marion County is located in East Texas, its residents often send their children to top institutions across the state. The legal principles and concerning patterns at these large schools directly impact students from our community. We will examine the hazing landscape at the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus, blends a diverse student body with both commuter and residential communities. Its Greek life is active and encompasses a wide array of fraternities and sororities, including traditional IFC and Panhellenic groups, along with NPHC and multicultural organizations. Beyond Greek life, UH boasts numerous student organizations, cultural groups, and sports clubs, all of which can become environments for hazing if not properly supervised. Students from Marion County often choose UH for its academic programs and proximity to Houston’s professional opportunities.

5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

UH maintains a clear anti-hazing policy, emphasizing that hazing is prohibited both on and off-campus. The policy explicitly forbids forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and activities designed to cause mental distress as part of initiation or affiliation. UH provides various reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university publishes a hazing statement and some limited disciplinary information on its website, although not as transparently as some other large Texas institutions.

5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UH has faced its share of hazing allegations and incidents:

• A notable incident from 2016 involved the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where pledges allegedly suffered sleep, food, and water deprivation during a multi-day event. One student reportedly sustained a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table or similar surface. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and was subsequently suspended by the university.
• Other disciplinary references have involved fraternities facing sanctions for behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” including alcohol misuse and policy violations, resulting in suspensions or probation. This highlights UH’s willingness to suspend chapters, but also the gaps in publicly detailed incident reports.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed

For a hazing incident originating at UH and affecting a Marion County student, the involved agencies might include UHPD and/or the Houston Police Department, depending on whether the incident occurred on or off campus, or where the victim sought medical attention. Civil lawsuits would likely be filed in courts with jurisdiction over Houston and Harris County. Potential defendants would include the individual students involved, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority, and potentially the university itself, along with any property owners where the hazing took place.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

• Report immediately: Use UH’s reporting channels, including the Dean of Students, UHPD, or online reporting forms.
• Document prior complaints: If you hear of or find information about prior hazing incidents involving the same organization, meticulously document it. This can be crucial in establishing a pattern of negligence.
• Seek legal counsel: For Marion County families, talking to a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases can help uncover prior disciplinary actions and internal university files, which are vital for a strong case. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential consultation.

5.2 Texas A&M University

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Texas A&M, located in College Station, is deeply rooted in tradition, with a thriving Greek life alongside its renowned Corps of Cadets. Students from Marion County and across Texas are drawn to A&M’s rich heritage and strong community. While the university fosters immense pride and loyalty, its tradition-heavy, military-style environment, particularly within the Corps, has unfortunately also been a context for hazing incidents veiled as “tough training” or “earning your Aggie Ring.”

5.2.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Texas A&M explicitly prohibits hazing and outlines its policy in the Student Rules. The university strongly encourages reporting through its Student Conduct Office, the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD), or via an anonymous reporting system. A&M’s policy covers both on-campus and off-campus activities, emphasizing that consent is not a defense to hazing.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced significant hazing allegations over the years, impacting both Greek life and the Corps of Cadets:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Lawsuit (around 2021): Two pledges alleged they were subjected to severe hazing, including being covered in substances, including an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit. This resulted in severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin graft surgeries. The pledges filed a $1 million lawsuit against the fraternity, and the chapter was suspended by the university for two years.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading hazing that included simulated sexual acts and being bound in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The cadet sought over $1 million in damages, highlighting the persistent problem of hazing within traditional military-style organizations. A&M stated it addressed the matter under its internal rules.
• Kappa Sigma (2023, ongoing): Allegations surfaced of hazing resulting in severe injuries, specifically rhabdomyolysis—a severe muscle breakdown often caused by extreme physical overexertion, necessitating specialized medical care. This case demonstrates the life-altering physical consequences of aggressive hazing.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases arising from Texas A&M, often involving Marion County students or organizations, could involve UPD and/or Bryan and College Station police departments. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Brazos County courts. The complexity often lies in distinguishing between university-sanctioned activities and illicit hazing, particularly within the Corps. Potential defendants include individuals, local chapters, national organizations, and often the university itself, given its oversight of both Greek life and the Corps.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

• Understand the culture: Be aware of the strong emphasis on tradition at A&M and how this can sometimes be conflated with hazing.
• Report carefully: Use A&M’s reporting channels, but understand that distinguishing between official Corps training and hazing can be nuanced. Document everything meticulously.
• Legal intervention: For Marion County families connected to A&M, early legal consultation is crucial. An attorney experienced with A&M’s unique cultural dynamics can help navigate the university’s internal processes and build a strong legal case. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a comprehensive review of your situation.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

The University of Texas at Austin, the state’s flagship public university, is a sprawling campus with a vibrant and extensive Greek life, alongside numerous other student organizations. Many students from Marion County pursue their education in Austin, drawn by its academic rigor and diverse social scene. UT has long been under public scrutiny regarding campus safety, student conduct, and the well-being of its large Greek community.

5.3.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

UT Austin has one of the more publicly transparent hazing policies among Texas universities. It strictly prohibits hazing both on and off-campus and provides clear reporting mechanisms through the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, and the UT Austin Police Department (UTPD). Crucially, UT maintains and publishes a publicly accessible Hazing Violations page on its website, listing organizations, dates, conduct, and sanctions. This commitment to transparency, spurred by past incidents, allows parents and students to review the disciplinary history of specific groups.

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT’s published Hazing Violations page is a key resource. Some examples of documented incidents include:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (2023): The fraternity was sanctioned after new members were directed to consume milk and engage in strenuous calisthenics, activities the university determined constituted hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers and other spirit organizations: Historical and ongoing issues have led to several spirit and tradition groups facing sanctions for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, degradation of new members, and other punishment-based practices.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (2024): This chapter faced a lawsuit after an Australian exchange student alleged assault at a fraternity party, suffering extensive injuries including a dislocated leg, broken ligaments, fractured tibia, and broken nose. The chapter was already under suspension for prior hazing/safety violations.

These entries highlight UT’s relatively higher transparency but also underscore that, despite public listing, hazing remains a persistent challenge on campus.

5.3.4 How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Marion County families involved in a hazing incident at UT Austin, cases could involve UTPD and/or the Austin Police Department, depending on the incident’s location. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Travis County courts. The public record of UT’s hazing violations can be a strong evidentiary tool, demonstrating patterns and the university’s prior knowledge of an organization’s misconduct, which is crucial for establishing negligence.

5.3.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

• Consult UT’s Hazing Violations page: Families and students should review the disciplinary history of any organization their child considers joining by visiting https://hazing.utexas.edu.
• Document and report: If hazing is suspected, utilize UT’s reporting channels and meticulously document all evidence.
• Seek legal advice: The prior violations documented on UT’s website can significantly strengthen a civil case. An attorney knowledgeable in UT’s policies and legal history can leverage this public data to advocate effectively for Marion County families. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential evaluation.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Southern Methodist University, nestled in the heart of Dallas, is a private university with a reputation for academic excellence and a prominent Greek life scene. Students from Marion County, choosing SMU for its smaller size and strong programs, often find themselves immersed in a social environment where fraternities and sororities play a central role. SMU’s culture, while fostering tight-knit communities, also presents challenges in addressing hazing that can occur behind the closed doors of its many Greek organizations.

5.4.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

SMU maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that applies to all student organizations, explicitly prohibiting any activity that causes physical or mental discomfort, humiliation, or endangerment. The university emphasizes education and provides multiple reporting avenues, including the Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, and the SMU Police Department. SMU also utilizes anonymous reporting systems, such as Real Response, to encourage students to come forward without fear of retaliation.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU has had its share of hazing incidents, often leading to chapter suspensions:

• Kappa Alpha Order (2017): This fraternity chapter was suspended after reports of new members being subjected to paddling, forced alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation. The chapter faced restrictions on recruiting new members for several years.
• While SMU’s private status means less public disclosure of specific incident details compared to state-funded universities, the consistent message from the administration is a stance against hazing.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed

Hazing cases at SMU involving students from Marion County or other Texas regions would likely fall under the jurisdiction of Dallas County courts. Due to SMU’s private university status, internal disciplinary records are generally not as publicly accessible as those from state institutions. However, an experienced attorney can compel the discovery of such records through litigation. Potential defendants include individuals, the local chapter, the national organization, and SMU itself, with the university’s liability often depending on its knowledge and enforcement of anti-hazing policies.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

• Utilize anonymous reporting: SMU provides tools like Real Response for discreet reporting of concerns.
• Document carefully: Given the private nature of SMU’s incident reporting, meticulous personal documentation of any hazing is even more crucial.
• Consult legal counsel: For Marion County families with ties to SMU, a lawyer can navigate the unique challenges of a private university’s internal processes and ensure that any hazing incident is thoroughly investigated and addressed. Contact 1-888-ATTY-911 for a confidential discussion.

5.5 Baylor University

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot

Baylor University, a prominent private Christian university in Waco, holds a unique place in Texas higher education. Students from Marion County often choose Baylor for its faith-based education and strong academic programs. Baylor’s culture, while emphasizing community and Christian values, has faced significant scrutiny over campus safety issues, including past sexual assault scandals that highlighted broader concerns about institutional oversight and accountability. These historical challenges frame the context for addressing hazing within its Greek life and other student organizations.

5.5.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting

Baylor enforces a comprehensive anti-hazing policy that prohibits any act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or membership. Baylor’s policy stresses a “zero-tolerance” approach and provides clear reporting mechanisms through the Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, and the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD).

5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Despite its stated policies, Baylor has still seen hazing incidents:

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): An internal investigation led to the suspension of 14 baseball players for hazing violations. The suspensions were staggered to allow the team to compete, raising questions about the university’s commitment to its “zero-tolerance” policy.
• While specific details of other Greek life hazing incidents at Baylor may not always be publicly disseminated due to its private status, these internal investigations and disciplinary actions signal recurring issues beneath the surface.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed

For Marion County families impacted by hazing at Baylor, cases would fall under the jurisdiction of McLennan County courts. The interaction between Baylor’s policies, its religious branding, and its history of addressing campus safety issues adds layers of complexity to any legal action. An attorney would need to carefully examine whether Baylor’s “zero-tolerance” policy is consistently enforced or if institutional failures contributed to the hazing.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

• Be aware of the university’s history: Understand that Baylor operates under sustained scrutiny regarding student safety and institutional accountability.
• Document everything: Record all details of hazing, communication with the university, and responses from Baylor officials.
• Secure specialized legal counsel: Pursuing claims against Baylor, especially with its past challenges, requires an attorney deeply familiar with Texas hazing law and capable of navigating the intricacies of private university liability. Contact 1-888-ATTY-911 for a discreet and thorough consultation.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

When a student from Marion County becomes a pledge in a fraternity or sorority at a Texas university, they are not just joining a local chapter; they are affiliating with a national, and often international, organization. These national entities, with their vast reach and storied pasts, often carry significant baggage—including patterns of hazing that have recurred across different campuses for decades.

Why National Histories Matter

The reality is that many fraternities and sororities present at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor (such as Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, and others) are part of massive national organizations. These national headquarters are not ignorant of hazing risks; quite the opposite. They often:

• Develop extensive anti-hazing manuals and risk management policies precisely because they have witnessed deaths and catastrophic injuries in the past.
• Are acutely aware of common hazing patterns, including forced drinking nights, paddling traditions, and humiliating rituals, which often repeat across their chapters.

When a Texas chapter engages in the same dangerous behaviors that led to another chapter being shut down or sued in a different state, this establishes a critically important legal concept: foreseeability. It demonstrates that the national organization had prior knowledge or should have known about the risks, significantly strengthening negligence arguments or even claims for punitive damages against the national entity.

Organization Mapping: Connecting Local Chapters to National Patterns

While we cannot list every single chapter at every Texas university, it is vital for Marion County families to understand how the bad acts of one chapter can reflect a broader, systemic issue within a national organization. Here, we highlight some national organizations active at Texas universities and their documented hazing histories, showing how patterns of behavior manifest.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor.

  • National Incidents: Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University, 2021) died after being forced to consume a bottle of alcohol during “Big/Little” night. David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois University, 2012) also died from alcohol poisoning at a fraternity event. These cases reflect a pattern of dangerous, forced alcohol consumption within the organization.
  • Texas Connection: UH faced its own Pi Kappa Alpha hazing incident in 2016 involving a student with a lacerated spleen, and UT sanctioned Pi Kappa Alpha in 2023 for forced calisthenics and milk consumption. These incidents connect directly to a national pattern of high-risk behavior that national headquarters should be well aware of.

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU.

  • National Incidents: SAE has a deeply concerning history, with multiple hazing-related deaths and severe injuries nationwide over the past decades, prompting them to eliminate their pledge process in 2014, a policy change often poorly enforced. Recent incidents include a traumatic brain injury lawsuit at the University of Alabama (2023) and chemical burns from industrial-strength cleaner poured on pledges at Texas A&M (2021). An Australian exchange student also sued the UT Austin chapter in 2024 following an alleged assault.
  • Texas Connection: The Texas A&M and UT Austin incidents demonstrate that the national pattern of dangerous hazing behavior has deeply impacted students right here in our state, highlighting a failure by the national organization to curb these practices effectively.

• Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor.

  • National Incident: Maxwell “Max” Gruver (Louisiana State University, 2017) died from alcohol toxicity during a forced drinking game known as “Bible study.” This tragedy led to the landmark Max Gruver Act in Louisiana, making felony hazing illegal.
  • Texas Connection: Given Phi Delta Theta’s presence at five major Texas universities, the national organization carries the weight of Max Gruver’s death, emphasizing the extreme dangers of forced alcohol consumption, a pattern that could foreseeably occur at any of its chapters, including those where Marion County students are involved.

• Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, and UT.

  • National Incident: Andrew Coffey (Florida State University, 2017) died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event where pledges were given handles of hard liquor.
  • Texas Connection: This incident reinforces the lethal dangers of “Big/Little” events involving forced drinking, a pattern that national Pi Kappa Phi should actively be working to prevent at its Texas chapters.

• Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor.

  • National Incident: Timothy Piazza (Penn State University, 2017) died from traumatic brain injuries after an extreme alcohol hazing ritual. This case led to over a thousand criminal charges and significant changes in state law, making it a pivotal moment in the fight against hazing.
  • Texas Connection: The Penn State tragedy demonstrates the extreme risks of delayed medical care coupled with forced alcohol consumption, a pattern that should be entirely foreseeable and preventable by the national organization at all of its chapters, including those attended by Marion County students.

• Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): Active at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor.

  • National Incidents: Chad Meredith (University of Miami, 2001) drowned after being pressured to swim across a lake while intoxicated, leading to a $12.6 million jury verdict based on hazing. More recently, the Texas A&M chapter has faced allegations of hazing resulting in rhabdomyolysis (2023), indicative of severe physical hazing.
  • Texas Connection: The Texas A&M incident directly links this national organization to severe physical hazing incidents in our state, reinforcing a pattern of dangerous “tradition” that can lead to life-altering injury.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

For Marion County families, understanding these national patterns translates directly into legal strategy. These repeated incidents across states and campuses demonstrate that certain organizations have received repeated warnings about their dangerous practices.

In a civil lawsuit, courts can consider whether national organizations:

• Meaningfully enforced their anti-hazing policies, or if those policies were just for show.
• Responded aggressively enough to prior incidents, or if they allowed a culture of hazing to persist.

This strategic understanding can impact several critical aspects of a case:

• Settlement leverage: Showing a national pattern of negligence can increase the pressure on a fraternity or sorority to settle fairly.
• Insurance coverage disputes: Attorneys can argue that due to repeated incidents, a national organization’s insurance carrier had knowledge of the risks, making it harder for them to deny coverage.
• Potential for punitive damages: In cases of egregious conduct and repeated failures to act, and depending on the specific legal claims, evidence of a national pattern of willful disregard for safety can potentially expose an organization to punitive damages, which are designed to punish and deter.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Building a successful hazing case for families in Marion County requires meticulous attention to detail, a deep understanding of legal strategy, and a firm grasp of modern evidence collection. It’s a complex undertaking that requires specialized legal expertise.

7.1 The Evidence That Matters

Hazing cases are often won or lost based on the quality and comprehensiveness of the evidence. Attorney911’s video on using your cellphone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) explains best practices for preserving screenshots and photos. Here’s a breakdown of the critical types of evidence we pursue:

• Digital Communications: In 2025, group chats and direct messages are often the most potent sources of hazing evidence. This includes platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and even fraternity-specific apps, as well as Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, and TikTok comments. We seek to preserve both live and, often, recovered/deleted messages, which can reveal planning, intent, knowledge, ongoing patterns, and who was involved.
• Photos & Videos: Any content filmed by members during events, footage shared in group chats, or publicly posted on social media can be crucial. Surveillance footage from security cameras or doorbell cameras at houses and venues can also be invaluable.
• Internal Organization Documents: This includes pledge manuals, initiation scripts, ritual “tradition” lists, emails or texts from officers discussing “what we’ll do to pledges,” and official national policies and training materials. These documents can expose discrepancies between stated policies and actual practice.
• University Records: We seek prior conduct files, probation statuses, suspensions, letters of warning, incident reports submitted to campus police or student conduct offices, Clery reports, and similar public disclosures. UT Austin’s public Hazing Violations page (https://hazing.utexas.edu) is an excellent example of how such records can provide critical pattern evidence.
• Medical and Psychological Records: Comprehensive medical documentation is vital. This includes emergency room and hospitalization records, surgery and rehabilitation notes, toxicology reports (if alcohol or drugs were involved), and imaging (X-rays, CTs, MRIs). For psychological harm, evaluations from mental health professionals documenting PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidality are crucial.
• Witness Testimony: The accounts of other pledges, active members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, trainers, and bystanders can be powerful. Critically, we often seek out former members who quit or were expelled, as they may be more willing to share information.

7.2 Understanding Damages in Hazing Cases

Hazing can inflict profound and lasting harm, and the law provides avenues for victims and their families in Marion County to seek compensation for these losses. While outcomes are never guaranteed, understanding the categories of damages is essential.

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers all costs, from immediate emergency room visits and intensive care to surgeries, ongoing treatments, physical therapy, and medications. In cases of catastrophic injuries like brain damage or organ failure, it includes the creation of life care plans to cover decades of specialized care.
• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This includes lost wages due to time off from work (for the student or a parent caring for them), missed semesters, and the long-term impact on a student’s career trajectory. If injuries lead to permanent disability, economists calculate the diminished future earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are harder to quantify but are critically important. They cover physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and the loss of enjoyment of life—the inability to participate in activities one once loved, or withdrawal from the college experience itself.
• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): In the most tragic hazing cases, families can recover funeral and burial costs, economic losses (such as the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided), and profound non-economic damages, including the loss of companionship, love, guidance, and emotional suffering for parents and siblings. Learn more about Attorney911’s wrongful death practice at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/.

7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

Hazing cases often involve multiple defendants—individuals, local chapters, national organizations, and universities. Each of these entities may have various insurance policies that come into play. However, securing compensation is rarely simple:

• Insurers frequently argue that hazing or “intentional acts” are excluded from coverage.
• They may also contend that a policy does not cover certain defendants or specific types of incidents.

This is where the expertise of a firm like Attorney911 becomes invaluable. Our attorneys, including Lupe Peña with her background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), know their playbook. We understand how to identify all potential coverage sources, navigate complex disputes about exclusions and “intentional conduct,” and rigorously pursue all available avenues for compensation.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When hazing impacts a family in Marion County, knowing what to do immediately and understanding your rights is paramount. Here, we offer practical guides for parents, students, and witnesses, along with answers to common questions. Attorney911’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@Manginellolawfirm) features educational videos on personal injury law, wrongful death, and client rights, which can provide additional context.

8.1 For Parents: Navigating the Hazing Crisis

Marion County parents dealing with suspected hazing need clear, actionable guidance.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Look for unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, cuts), sudden exhaustion or extreme sleep deprivation, drastic changes in mood, anxiety, or social withdrawal. Constant secret phone use for group chats and fear of missing “mandatory” events are also red flags.
• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation calmly. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are things going with [group name]? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?” Emphasize their safety over status and assure them of your unconditional support.
• If Your Child is Hurt: Get them immediate medical attention. Document everything meticulously: photograph injuries (multiple angles, with a ruler for scale), screenshot texts and group chats, save any physical evidence, and write down exactly what they tell you, including names, dates, and locations.
• Dealing with the University: Document every communication with administrators (emails, notes from calls). Ask specifically about prior incidents involving the same organization and what measures the school took in response.
• When to Talk to a Lawyer: If your child has sustained significant physical or psychological harm or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing or hiding what happened, it’s time to consult an attorney.

8.2 For Students / Pledges: Your Safety and Rights

If you are a student from Marion County involved in new member activities, recognizing hazing and protecting yourself is crucial.

• Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? If you feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced; if you’re forced to drink or endure pain; if the activity is hidden from the public or administrators – it is probably hazing. Remember, if older members are making new members do things they didn’t have to do, or would never do themselves, it’s a giant red flag.
• Why “Consent” Isn’t The End of the Story: Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. The law recognizes power dynamics, fear of exclusion, and the reality that “agreement” under duress is not true voluntary consent.
• Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergency situations, inform a trusted friend or family member first. Then, send an email to the chapter president and new member educator stating you are resigning. Utilize campus channels (Dean of Students), anonymous tip lines (like the National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE), or campus/local police.
• Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Texas law and many university policies offer protections for students who call for help in an emergency, even if underage drinking or hazing was involved, encouraging seeking help without fear of personal repercussions.

8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses: A Path to Accountability

If you were once involved in hazing, or witnessed it, and now carry guilt or fear, know that your choice to come forward can prevent future tragedies.

• Your testimony and evidence can be critical in holding organizations accountable, potentially saving lives.
• While you may face legal or personal concerns, a lawyer can advise on your potential exposure and how best to navigate cooperating with authorities or civil litigation. Your decision to help can be a critical step toward broader accountability.

8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

Marion County families, when facing hazing, you need to understand that the actions you take immediately after an incident can profoundly impact any potential legal case. Watch Attorney911’s video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY.

Here are critical mistakes to avoid:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence: This is not protecting them; it destroys critical proof and can appear to be an obstruction of justice. Preserve everything immediately, no matter how embarrassing.
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly: They will immediately lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare defenses. Call a lawyer first.
3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms: Universities often pressure families into internal agreements that may waive your right to sue or result in settlements far below actual case value. Do NOT sign anything without an attorney’s review.
4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer: Public posts can be used against you, weaken credibility due to inconsistencies, and potentially waive legal privileges. Document privately; let your lawyer control public messaging.
5. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”: This is a tactic used to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can harm a case. If legal action is contemplated, all communication should go through your lawyer.
6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it”: Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations runs while the university controls the narrative. Preserve evidence NOW and consult a lawyer immediately.
7. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Recorded statements can be used against you, and early settlement offers are almost always lowball. Politely decline and state, “My attorney will contact you.”

8.5 Short FAQ

• “Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
  Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities like UH, Texas A&M, and UT have some sovereign immunity protections, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, Title IX violations, and when suing individuals in their personal capacity. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on specific facts. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.
• “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
  It can be. While Texas law classifies hazing primarily as a Class B misdemeanor, it becomes a state jail felony if the hazing causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers of an organization can also face charges for failing to report hazing.
• “Can my child bring a case if they ‘agreed’ to the initiation?”
  Yes. Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that consent is not a defense to hazing. Courts recognize that “consent” given under peer pressure, power imbalance, and fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent.
• “How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas?”
  Generally, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a hazing lawsuit in Texas. However, the “discovery rule” may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases involving cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and organizations destroy records. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately for time-sensitive cases. Learn more about the statute of limitations in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c.
• “What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
  Location doesn’t eliminate liability. Universities and national fraternities can still be held liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases, such as the Pi Delta Psi retreat death and the Sigma Pi unofficial house death, occurred off-campus and still resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments.
• “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
  Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. While public cases sometimes garner media attention, you can often request sealed court records and confidential settlement terms. We prioritize your family’s privacy while pursuing accountability.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action for Marion County Families

When your family faces a hazing case, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. This is where The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, stands apart.

From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including Marion County and surrounding areas. We understand that hazing at Texas universities affects families throughout our state, often deeply impacting lives from communities just like Marion County. Our firm brings unique qualifications to these complex and sensitive cases:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings invaluable insight. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. We know their playbook because we used to run it.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has an impressive track record. Our firm was one of the few Texas firms involved in the significant BP Texas City explosion litigation. With extensive federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) since 1998, we are not intimidated by national fraternities, powerful universities, or their formidable defense teams. We’ve taken on billion-dollar corporations and won. We know how to fight powerful defendants.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have a proven track record in complex wrongful death cases, collaborating with economists to value the full loss endured by families. We possess deep experience valuing lifetime care needs for victims of brain injury or permanent disability. We don’t settle cheap. We build cases that force accountability.
• Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph Manginello’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides us with a critical understanding of how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation. We can advise witnesses and former members who might face dual exposure, ensuring all aspects of a hazing incident are expertly handled. Learn more about Attorney911’s criminal defense cases at https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/.
• Investigative Depth: We have a robust network of experts, including medical professionals, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. Our experience in obtaining hidden evidence—from deleted group chats and social media to subpoenaing national fraternity records and uncovering university files through discovery and public records requests—is unparalleled. We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does.

We understand the intricate dynamics of how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments operate behind closed doors. We know what makes hazing cases different: the powerful institutional defendants, the insurance coverage battles, and the delicate balance between victim privacy and public accountability. Our firm approaches each case with empathy and a steadfast commitment to victim advocacy. We know this is one of the hardest things a family can face. Our job is to get you answers, hold the right people accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We are about thorough investigation and real accountability, not just quick settlements.

Call to Action for Marion County Families

If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus, we want to hear from you. Families in Marion County and throughout the surrounding region have the right to answers and accountability.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you decide on the best path forward. For more information about how our contingency fees work, watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.

What to expect in your free consultation:

• We’ll listen to your story without judgment.
• We’ll review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
• We’ll explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We’ll discuss realistic timelines and what to expect from the legal process.
• We’ll answer your questions about costs – we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
• There’s no pressure to hire us on the spot; we want you to make an informed decision.
• Everything you share with us is held in strict confidence.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
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

Hablamos Español – Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.

Whether you’re in Marion County or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today.

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