The Definitive Guide to Hazing in Texas: Protecting Students and Families in Moore County and Beyond

The phone rings late on a Friday night. A parent in Moore County answers, their heart sinking as their child’s voice comes through, slurred and panicked. “Mom, Dad, something happened. I’m at the fraternity house off campus here in Austin. They told us we had to drink a whole handle, and now Mark isn’t moving. I don’t know what to do. Nobody wants to call 911.”

This horrifying scenario, or variations of it, plays out far too often on campuses across Texas, including at major institutions like the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, the University of Houston, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University. For families in Moore County and across our great state, the dream of a college education can quickly turn into a nightmare when hazing takes its toll. Our children leave home, eager to forge new friendships and futures, only to encounter dangerous “traditions” that jeopardize their health, their academic careers, and even their lives.

This comprehensive guide is written for families in Moore County and across Texas who need to understand what modern hazing truly looks like, the legal framework that applies here in Texas, what we can learn from major national cases, and what has been happening at our state’s universities. It will explain the legal options victims and families may have when a child is hurt by hazing. While this article offers general information and not specific legal advice, The Manginello Law Firm is here to evaluate individual cases and help families in Moore County and throughout Texas navigate these complex waters.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger right now, time is of the essence.

• If your child is in physical danger (unconscious, severely injured, unresponsive, or threatened), call 911 immediately. Prioritize their medical safety above all else.
• Then, call Attorney911: We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ and can be reached at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We provide immediate guidance during these critical moments.

In the first 48 hours after an incident, crucial steps must be taken:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.” Injuries, especially internal ones or alcohol poisoning, can worsen rapidly.
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted. This includes:
  • Screenshotting group chats, texts, and direct messages (DMs) immediately. Messages, especially on platforms like Snapchat, disappear quickly.
  • Photographing any injuries from multiple angles with clear lighting.
  • Saving physical items such as clothing worn during the incident, receipts for forced purchases, or any objects used in the hazing.
• Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was involved, what happened, when, and where.
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity, sorority, or organization directly. This can lead to evidence destruction or retaliation.
  • Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal advice. You could waive important rights.
  • Post details on public social media. This can compromise your case.
  • Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any evidence.

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours. Evidence disappears quickly, universities often try to control the narrative, and witnesses graduate. We can help preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate consultation.

Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like

For families in Moore County and across Texas, understanding hazing means moving past outdated stereotypes. Hazing is no longer just “a silly prank” or “boys being boys.” In 2025, it’s a sophisticated, often brutal, and sometimes digital practice that can endanger the physical and mental health of students.

Hazing can be defined as any forced, coerced, or strongly pressured action or activity tied to joining, maintaining membership, or gaining status in an organization, group, or team, where the behavior endangers physical or mental health, humiliates, degrades, or exploits. It is crucial to understand that even if a student technically “agreed” to participate, true consent is often absent when there is immense peer pressure, a significant power imbalance, and a fear of exclusion.

Main Categories of Hazing

Modern hazing takes many forms, often escalating in severity.

• Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This remains one of the most dangerous and common forms of hazing, frequently leading to hospitalization or death. It involves:

  • Forced or coerced drinking: Requiring pledges to consume a specific amount of alcohol within a short timeframe.
  • Chugging challenges, “lineups,” or drinking games: Activities designed for rapid and excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Pressuring pledges to consume unknown or mixed substances, which can be extremely dangerous.
  • The “Big/Little” reveal nights, ostensibly a bonding tradition, have become venues for extreme, forced alcohol consumption at many campuses.

• Physical Hazing: Directed at the body, these tactics cause pain, exhaustion, and sometimes lasting injury.

  • Paddling and beatings: Deliberate physical assaults.
  • Extreme calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings”: Forced exercises far beyond normal conditioning, often to exhaustion or injury.
  • Sleep deprivation: Mandatory late-night meetings, tasks, or multi-day events with minimal rest.
  • Food/water deprivation: Restricting access to basic necessities, or forcing consumption of unpleasant substances.
  • Exposure to extreme cold/heat or dangerous environments without proper protection.

• Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These acts cause severe emotional trauma and can involve sexual assault.

  • Forced nudity or partial nudity.
  • Simulated sexual acts: Such as the notorious “elephant walk” or “roasted pig” positions.
  • Degrading costumes or acts designed to mortify the student in public or private.
  • Acts with racial, homophobic, or sexist overtones, including slurs or forced role-play, contribute to a hostile environment.

• Psychological Hazing: This category inflicts emotional and mental distress, often leading to lasting trauma.

  • Verbal abuse: Yelling, screaming, insults, and demeaning language.
  • Threats and isolation: Using intimidation or cutting off contact with outside support systems.
  • Manipulation or forced confessions of secrets or embarrassing details.
  • Public shaming in person, on social media, or in meetings designed to break spirits.
  • Creating a constant atmosphere of fear and anxiety.

• Digital/Online Hazing: This is a rapidly evolving area where technology is used to exert control and inflict harm.

  • Group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and university-specific apps.
  • Constant monitoring through group chats, requiring immediate responses at all hours, leading to sleep deprivation.
  • Pressure to create or share compromising images/videos.
  • Location tracking via “Find My Friends” or similar apps.
  • Social media policing, where pledges’ online presence is controlled or exploited.

Where Hazing Actually Happens

Hazing is not confined to fraternities alone. It is a systemic issue affecting various student groups.

• Fraternities and Sororities: This includes those councils under the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek organizations.
• Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These groups, especially at institutions like Texas A&M, often have deeply ingrained “traditions” that cross the line into hazing.
• Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs, and Student Organizations: Groups like “Texas Cowboys” at UT or other campus spirit organizations have faced sanctions for hazing.
• Athletic Teams: Hazing can occur in football, basketball, baseball, cheerleading, swimming, and other sports programs. The pressure to conform and “earn your spot” often mirrors Greek life dynamics.
• Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly benign organizations can foster hazing cultures.
• Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations: Where initiation rites are used, hazing can occur.

The underlying common threads across these groups are social status, tradition, and secrecy. These elements create powerful incentives for hazing to continue, even when everyone involved “knows” it is illegal and harmful. The desire to belong and the fear of reporting can keep dangerous practices alive.

Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)

Understanding the legal landscape around hazing in Texas is crucial for students and families in Moore County. While campuses in Moore County may not have large Greek systems, families here send their children to universities across Texas where these issues unfortunately persist.

Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)

Texas has specific, robust anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code, primarily Chapter 37, Subchapter F. For any student in a Texas-based organization, whether in Moore County or at a major university, this law applies.

• Definition of Hazing (§ 37.151): Hazing is broadly defined as 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 makes you do something dangerous, harmful, or degrading to join or stay in a group, and they meant to do it or were reckless about the risk, that’s hazing under Texas law.
  • Key points: It can happen on or off campus (location does not matter); it can cause mental or physical harm; and “reckless” intent (knowing the risk and doing it anyway) is enough.

• Criminal Penalties (§ 37.152): Individuals and organizations can face criminal charges.

  • By default, hazing that does not cause serious injury is a Class B Misdemeanor.
  • If hazing causes injury requiring medical treatment, it can be a Class A Misdemeanor.
  • Crucially, if hazing causes serious bodily injury or death, it can be a State Jail Felony.
  • It is also a misdemeanor to fail to report hazing if you are a member or officer and knew about it, or to retaliate against someone who reports it.

• Organizational Liability (§ 37.153): Organizations themselves can be held criminally responsible.

  • An organization (like a fraternity, sorority, or athletic team) can be fined up to $10,000 per violation if it authorized or encouraged the hazing, or if an officer or member acting in an official capacity knew about the hazing and failed to report it. Universities can also revoke recognition and ban the organization.

• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting (§ 37.154): To encourage reporting, the law protects individuals who act responsibly.

  • A person who reports a hazing incident in good faith to university authorities or law enforcement is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from that report.
  • Additionally, in medical emergencies, Texas law and many university policies provide good Samaritan or amnesty protections for students who call 911, even if underage drinking was involved.

• Consent Not a Defense (§ 37.155): This is a critical provision that directly addresses a common excuse.

  • It is not a defense to prosecution for hazing that the person being hazed consented to the hazing activity. Even if the victim said “yes” or “I want to do this,” it is still a crime if it meets the hazing definition.

• Reporting by Educational Institutions (§ 37.156): Texas colleges and universities must:

  • Provide hazing prevention education to students.
  • Publish clear hazing policies.
  • Maintain and publish annual reports of hazing violations and disciplinary actions taken. This creates a public record that families can use to research an organization’s history.

This is a summary of the key provisions; the actual law is more technical, but the core message for Moore County families is clear: hazing is illegal and can carry serious consequences.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

When hazing occurs, there are often two distinct legal tracks that may run concurrently.

• Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (prosecutors) against individuals or organizations. The goal is punishment—fines, jail time, or probation—to enforce public safety and deter future offenses. Hazing-related criminal charges can include the hazing offenses themselves, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, and even manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal incidents.
• Civil Cases: These are lawsuits brought by victims or their surviving family members. The goal is monetary compensation and accountability for the harm suffered. Civil lawsuits often focus on theories of negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring/supervision, premises liability, and emotional distress.

It is important to understand that a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. The standards of proof are different, and a civil case can proceed even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction.

Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery

Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations also play a significant role in campus hazing accountability.

• Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This federal law mandates increased transparency and prevention efforts. Colleges and universities receiving federal funding are now required to:
  • Report hazing incidents transparently and maintain public hazing data.
  • Strengthen hazing education and prevention programs.
  • This is being phased in and will provide families with more comprehensive data by around 2026.
• Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered. This requires universities to investigate and respond to such incidents to ensure equal access to education.
• Clery Act: This federal law requires colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents involving assaults, alcohol or drug violations, or other crimes often fall under Clery reporting requirements.

Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit

Determining who is responsible in a hazing incident can be complex, but an experienced legal team like ours knows how to identify all potential defendants.

• Individual Students: The students who planned, instigated, supplied the alcohol, carried out the acts, or helped cover them up can be held personally liable. This includes officers and “pledge educators.”
• Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself (if it’s a legal entity) can be sued.
• National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, which often dictates policies, collects dues, and supervises chapters, can be held liable. This often depends on what the national organization knew or should have known from prior hazing incidents at other chapters or from prior warnings to the local chapter.
• University or Governing Board: Depending on the circumstances, the school itself may be sued. Liability can hinge on whether the university had prior warnings, failed to enforce its policies, or acted with deliberate indifference to a known hazing culture. Public universities in Texas, such as the University of Houston, Texas A&M, and UT Austin, may assert sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist, particularly for gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities like SMU and Baylor typically have fewer immunity protections.
• Third Parties: This can include landlords or owners of off-campus houses or event spaces, bars or alcohol providers (under “dram shop” liability laws if they served obviously intoxicated individuals), and even security companies or event organizers.

Every case is fact-specific, and not every party will be liable in every situation. A thorough investigation is crucial to identify all responsible parties.

National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)

While this guide specifically addresses Moore County families and Texas universities, it is essential to understand that hazing tragedies often follow recognizable patterns seen across the nation. These high-profile cases have shaped the legal landscape and demonstrate the severe consequences of hazing, both for victims and the institutions involved. They provide a critical backdrop for understanding the foreseeability and liability in any Texas hazing case.

Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern

The most common and devastating hazing pattern involves forced or coerced alcohol consumption.

• Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): Timothy, a 19-year-old pledge, died from traumatic brain injuries and a ruptured spleen after a bid-acceptance event where he was forced to consume excessive alcohol. Fraternity security cameras captured his agonizing 12-hour decline as members delayed calling 911 for fear of “getting in trouble.” The tragedy led to dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the powerful Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law in Pennsylvania. This case starkly highlighted how extreme intoxication, a delay in seeking medical help, and a pervasive culture of silence can lead to devastating legal and human consequences.

• Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew, a 20-year-old pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were given handles of hard liquor and forced to finish them. His death led to criminal hazing charges against multiple fraternity members, a temporary suspension of all Greek life at Florida State, and major policy overhauls. This incident underscored how formulaic “tradition” drinking nights are a repeating script for disaster in fraternities nationwide.

• Max Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Max, an 18-year-old pledge, died from alcohol toxicity (with a blood alcohol content of 0.495%) during a “Bible study” drinking game. Pledges were forced to drink heavily if they answered questions incorrectly. His death spurred the enactment of Louisiana’s felony hazing statute, the Max Gruver Act, demonstrating how legislative change often follows public outrage and clear proof of hazing. The family obtained a $6.1 million verdict against a fraternity member and others involved, in addition to confidential settlements.

• Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone, a 20-year-old pledge, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume nearly an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big-Little” pledge night. The incident led to multiple criminal convictions for hazing-related charges against fraternity members. In 2023, his family reached a $10 million settlement, with approximately $7 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University. This case demonstrated that universities, even public ones, can face significant financial and reputational consequences alongside fraternities when hazing is not prevented. The chapter was permanently removed from campus.

Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern

Hazing extends beyond alcohol to involve severe physical abuse and dangerous rituals.

• Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael, an 18-year-old pledge, died after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a fraternity retreat in Pennsylvania. He was blindfolded, weighted down with a heavy backpack, and repeatedly tackled during a dangerous “glass ceiling” ritual. Fraternity members delayed calling for medical help, attempting a cover-up. Multiple members were criminally convicted, and the national fraternity itself was convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, and banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years. This landmark case showed that off-campus “retreats” can be as dangerous or worse than on-campus parties, and that national organizations can face severe criminal and civil sanctions.

Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse

Hazing is unfortunately not limited to Greek life; it can pervade athletic programs, especially those with high visibility and financial stakes.

• Northwestern University Football Scandal (2023–2025): Multiple former football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the university’s football program over many years. This included forced sexual acts, forced nudity, and racially charged abuse. The scandal led to the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who later reached a confidential settlement in his wrongful-termination lawsuit against the university. Multiple players filed lawsuits against Northwestern and various coaching staff. This highly publicized case made it clear that hazing is a pervasive issue that extends beyond Greek organizations into major athletic programs, raising serious questions about institutional oversight and accountability.

What These Cases Mean for Texas Families

These national tragedies, far from being isolated incidents, reveal common threads in hazing across the country: forced drinking, humiliation, physical violence, delayed or denied medical care, and persistent cover-ups. The pattern of multi-million-dollar settlements, criminal charges, and legislative reforms often emerges only after a tragedy and subsequent determined legal action. For Moore County families whose children attend Texas universities, understanding these national lessons is crucial. These precedents demonstrate that institutions can be held accountable, and that victims and their families in Texas are not without recourse.

Texas Focus: University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor

For families in Moore County, understanding the specific hazing dynamics at Texas’s major universities is essential. While Moore County itself may not host a large university campus, many students from this community travel to institutions across the state for their higher education. What happens at these larger universities directly impacts our local families. For instance, many Moore County high school graduates attend Texas A&M University, and the campus culture there is of particular interest to our community. The Manginello Law Firm serves families across Texas, including Moore County, and our understanding of each university’s landscape is invaluable.

5.1 University of Houston (UH)

5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Moore County Connection)

The University of Houston, located in the heart of the bustling city of Houston, is a large, diverse urban campus with a mix of commuter and residential students. Its vibrant Greek life, encompassing multiple fraternities and sororities from various councils (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC, multicultural), significantly shapes campus social culture. Many students from Moore County travel south to Houston, drawn by UH’s urban setting and academic programs, becoming part of this dynamic environment. Beyond Greek life, numerous student organizations, including cultural groups and sports clubs, also contribute to the campus fabric, some of which have faced hazing allegations.

5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UH maintains a clear stance against hazing, prohibiting it both on and off campus. Their policy, consistent with Texas law, forbids forced consumption of alcohol, food, or drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and psychological or mental distress as part of any initiation or affiliation process. UH provides multiple reporting channels, including the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD). The university also posts its hazing statement and some disciplinary information on its website, contributing to its commitment to transparency.

5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UH has a history of addressing hazing allegations. A notable incident involved Pi Kappa Alpha in 2016, where pledges allegedly experienced deprivation of food, water, and sleep during an event. One student reportedly suffered 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. More recently, other fraternities have faced disciplinary action for activities “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” including alcohol misuse and other policy violations, leading to suspensions or probation. This indicates UH’s readiness to suspend chapters, but also highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcing anti-hazing policies and the gaps in public detail about specific incidents when compared to some other Texas universities.

5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed (Moore County Jurisdiction/Logistics)

For families in Moore County, understanding the procedural aspects of a hazing case originating at UH is important. If an incident occurs on campus, the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) primarily holds jurisdiction. If the hazing takes place off campus within Houston city limits, the Houston Police Department (HPD) would be the primary law enforcement agency for criminal investigations. Civil lawsuits related to hazing at UH would typically be filed in state district courts in Harris County, given UH’s location. Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national fraternity or sorority, and potentially the university itself, along with property owners of off-campus venues. Navigating these various jurisdictions requires counsel well-versed in Houston-area legal processes.

5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do

For UH students and parents, especially those from Moore County, proactive steps are vital:

• Familiarize yourselves with UH’s hazing policies and available reporting channels through the Dean of Students office, UHPD, or online forms on the university website.
• Document any past complaints or known incidents involving the organization in question. This historical context can be crucial in demonstrating a pattern of behavior.
• Prioritize medical attention immediately if injuries or concerns about alcohol poisoning arise, contacting 911 if necessary.
• Contact an attorney experienced in Houston-based hazing cases early. Our firm can help navigate the complex university investigative processes, governmental agencies, and legal systems involved, while safeguarding evidence and ensuring your child’s rights are protected.
• Preserve all communication and physical evidence as detailed in our “Immediate Help” section—group chats, photos, medical records.

5.2 Texas A&M University

5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Moore County Connection)

Texas A&M University, especially its College Station campus, boasts a unique culture deeply rooted in tradition, loyalty, and a strong sense of community. The university’s identity is significantly shaped by its storied Corps of Cadets, a military-style environment known for its rigorous discipline and tight-knit bonds. For many families in Moore County, Texas A&M is a top choice, with generations sending their students to “Aggieland.” This connection means that hazing incidents at A&M resonate deeply within our Moore County community. Beyond the Corps, a robust Greek life and numerous other student organizations contribute to a vibrant campus, but also present potential environments for hazing.

5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Texas A&M unequivocally prohibits hazing, both on and off campus, for any recognized or non-recognized student organizations. Their policy, aligned with state law, strictly bans any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. Reporting channels are provided through the Department of Student Life, the Office of the Dean of Student Conduct, and the Texas A&M University Police Department (TAMU PD). The university also publishes information regarding hazing incidents and disciplinary actions.

5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Texas A&M has faced significant hazing allegations:

• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Lawsuit (around 2021): This highly publicized case involved allegations by pledges that they were subjected to a brutal hazing ritual where substances, including an industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, were poured on them. This resulted in severe chemical burns requiring emergency skin graft surgeries for some pledges. The local chapter was suspended by the university, and the pledges subsequently filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the fraternity. This incident underscores the extreme physical dangers some hazing rituals present.
• Corps of Cadets Lawsuit (2023): A cadet filed a lawsuit alleging degrading and abusive hazing within the Corps. The allegations included simulated sexual acts and being bound between beds in a “roasted pig” pose with an apple in his mouth. The cadet sought over $1 million in damages. Texas A&M stated it handled the matter under its internal rules, illustrating the complexities of addressing hazing in deeply traditional, hierarchical organizations like the Corps. This case highlights how civil suits can target both Greek life and deeply ingrained Corps “traditions.”

These incidents show that despite A&M’s rich traditions, the university grapples with hazing issues that can lead to severe harm.

5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed (Moore County Jurisdiction/Logistics)

For Moore County families, understanding the legal process following a hazing incident at Texas A&M is crucial. Law enforcement investigations would primarily involve the Texas A&M University Police Department (TAMU PD) for incidents on or near campus, or the Bryan or College Station Police Departments for off-campus events. Civil lawsuits would generally be filed in state district courts in Brazos County, where the university is located. Texas A&M, as a public institution, may assert sovereign immunity, requiring claimants to demonstrate gross negligence or other exceptions. Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national organization (for fraternities/sororities), and the university itself, particularly if the hazing occurred in a university-sanctioned program like the Corps.

5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do

Moore County families with students at Texas A&M need to be vigilant:

• Be aware of the university’s hazing policies and the specific reporting procedures. Learn how to contact the Dean of Student Conduct or TAMU PD.
• Monitor any changes in your student’s behavior, especially if involved in Greek life or the Corps. Look for signs of unusual secrecy, sleep deprivation, or physical marks.
• If hazing is suspected, document everything meticulously. This includes communications, photos of injuries or evidence, and detailed notes of conversations.
• Prioritize medical attention for any injuries. Insist that medical professionals document the suspected cause of injuries clearly in your child’s medical records.
• Contact an attorney experienced in Texas A&M hazing cases immediately. We can help you navigate the nuanced aspects of hazing within the Corps of Cadets or Greek system, ensure proper evidence preservation, and pursue accountability effectively.

5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)

5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Moore County Connection)

The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship institution of the UT System, known for its academic rigor, vibrant student life, and a deeply ingrained sense of tradition. Its extensive Greek system, encompassing dozens of fraternities and sororities, plays a major role in the social scene, as do numerous spirit and service organizations. Many students from Moore County travel to Austin, often dreaming of attending this prestigious university. The bustling urban environment combined with a strong, often competitive, social culture means that hazing can manifest in various ways, impacting students from across Texas.

5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

UT Austin has a strict anti-hazing policy that applies to all student organizations, whether formally recognized or not. The policy prohibits any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for initiation or membership purposes. In a notable commitment to transparency, UT Austin provides clear reporting channels through the Dean of Students, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Crucially, UT maintains a publicly accessible Hazing Violation Search page on its website (hazing.utexas.edu), which lists organizations, dates of infractions, specific conduct, and disciplinary sanctions.

5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

UT Austin’s public Hazing Violation Search page reveals a recurring pattern of incidents across various organizations:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) (2023): This fraternity, which has a national history of severe hazing, was sanctioned after new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, actions found to be hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education.
• Texas Wranglers (2022): A long-standing spirit organization, the Texas Wranglers, faced disciplinary action for hazing violations that included forced workouts, alcohol-related misconduct, and other punishment-based practices targeting new members.
• Texas Cowboys (2019): Another prominent spirit organization, the Texas Cowboys, was permanently banned from campus following a student death that, while not officially classified as hazing by the university, prompted concerns about a culture of high-risk activities.

UT’s transparency in publicly listing these violations, though commendable, also underscores that hazing is an ongoing challenge, even for high-profile institutions with robust policies.

5.3.4 How a UT Hazing Case Might Proceed (Moore County Jurisdiction/Logistics)

For Moore County families, understanding the legal process at UT is straightforward due to the university’s transparency. Law enforcement investigations for incidents on campus would be led by the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD). Off-campus incidents would fall under the jurisdiction of the Austin Police Department (APD). Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in state district courts in Travis County, where UT Austin is located. As a public institution, UT Austin may invoke sovereign immunity, meaning plaintiffs would need to demonstrate exceptions like gross negligence or Title IX violations. However, the university’s public record of hazing violations can be a powerful tool for plaintiffs to demonstrate a pattern of knowledge and failure to act, strengthening negligence claims.

5.3.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do

For students from Moore County attending UT, and their families:

• Proactively check UT’s Hazing Violation Search page (hazing.utexas.edu) to research the disciplinary history of any organization your student is considering joining.
• Be aware of UT’s clear reporting channels through the Dean of Students, Student Conduct, or UTPD.
• Emphasize safety over secrecy. Encourage your student to reach out for help if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
• Document everything. The public nature of UT’s hazing records means that any personal documentation can be cross-referenced and contribute to a stronger legal case.
• Should hazing occur, prioritize medical attention for your student and then contact an experienced hazing attorney immediately. Our firm is adept at utilizing UT’s public records and navigating the Austin legal landscape to pursue accountability.

5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)

5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Moore County Connection)

Southern Methodist University (SMU), situated in an affluent area of Dallas, Texas, is a prestigious private university known for its strong academic programs and a vibrant, deeply entrenched Greek life. Fraternities and sororities play a central role in the social fabric, often hosting significant events and offering extensive networks. While geographically further from Moore County than some other Texas universities, SMU attracts students from across the state and beyond, including those from our community seeking a top-tier private education. Its reputation and social culture mean that hazing, while officially condemned, can exist within its organizations.

5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

SMU maintains a strict anti-hazing policy that applies to all student organizations, whether recognized or not. The university defines hazing broadly, prohibiting any act on or off campus that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. SMU provides reporting channels through its Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, the SMU Police Department (SMU PD), and various online and anonymous systems such as “Real Response,” a digital platform designed for confidential reporting of hazing and other misconduct.

5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

SMU has also grappled with hazing allegations and disciplinary actions:

• Kappa Alpha Order (KA) Incident (2017): This fraternity, known nationally for hazing incidents at various campuses, faced significant repercussions at SMU. New members were reportedly subjected to paddling, forced alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation. The local chapter was suspended and faced severe restrictions on recruiting for several years, illustrating SMU’s willingness to discipline organizations that violate anti-hazing policies.
• Other undisclosed incidents: While private universities like SMU often have less public disclosure of individual hazing incidents compared to public institutions subject to open records laws, internal investigations and disciplinary actions do occur, sometimes leading to significant sanctions including suspensions or permanent closure of chapters.

These incidents highlight that SMU, despite its private status, actively investigates and takes disciplinary action against hazing, but often with less public detail.

5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed (Moore County Jurisdiction/Logistics)

For Moore County families, the legal process for an SMU hazing case would differ slightly due to its private university status. Law enforcement investigations would involve the SMU Police Department (SMU PD) for on-campus incidents, or the Dallas Police Department (DPD) for incidents off campus within Dallas. Civil lawsuits related to hazing at SMU would typically be filed in state district courts in Dallas County. As a private institution, SMU does not enjoy sovereign immunity, which can simplify the legal process for plaintiffs compared to public universities. However, private universities often fight vigorously to keep internal records confidential. Our firm is experienced in compelling discovery from private institutions to uncover crucial evidence, even when public information is limited.

5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do

For SMU students from Moore County and their families:

• Familiarize yourselves with SMU’s hazing policy and actively utilize its reporting channels, including the “Real Response” platform, for anonymous and confidential reports.
• Recognize that SMU’s private nature may mean less public information about past incidents, requiring a more proactive approach to inquiry and legal consultation if hazing is suspected.
• Prioritize immediate medical care for any injuries. Insist that the cause of injuries be clearly documented, even if it implicates a university organization.
• Document any and all evidence. Because public visibility is lower at private universities, your personal documentation—group chats, photos, direct communications—becomes even more critical.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney immediately if you suspect hazing. Our firm has a deep understanding of how private university legal battles are conducted and can effectively navigate the Dallas courts while leveraging all available legal tools to uncover the truth.

5.5 Baylor University

5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot (with Moore County Connection)

Baylor University, a private Baptist university in Waco, Texas, is renowned for its strong religious identity, academic excellence, and deeply ingrained traditions. Its Greek life, while present, operates within a unique framework shaped by the university’s Christian mission. Baylor’s campus culture emphasizes community and values-based education, but like any institution, it is not immune to the challenges of hazing. Families from Moore County, drawn to Baylor’s strong academic reputation and values, often send their children to this Central Texas campus. Baylor has also faced significant scrutiny in the past over high-profile scandals, which influence its approach to student conduct and oversight.

5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels

Baylor University strictly prohibits hazing, defining it in alignment with Texas law as any act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. Baylor provides multiple reporting mechanisms, including the Office of the Dean of Students, Campus Living & Learning, and the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD). The university also leverages an ethics and compliance hotline, EthicsPoint, for anonymous reporting of misconduct, including hazing. These channels reflect Baylor’s commitment to upholding its values and legal obligations.

5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses

Baylor’s history includes addressing hazing allegations, which must be viewed in the context of its broader cultural and oversight challenges, particularly following the major football and Title IX sexual assault scandals.

• Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020): Following an internal investigation, 14 players from the Baylor baseball team were suspended due to hazing violations. The suspensions were staggered over the early part of the season to minimize disruption. This incident highlighted that hazing extends beyond Greek life into other prominent campus organizations, especially athletic teams, and that even universities with strong values statements must remain vigilant.

These incidents demonstrate that despite its religious branding and official “zero tolerance” stance, Baylor, like other institutions, faces continuous challenges in preventing hazing within its student body and organizations. The university’s prior scrutiny over its handling of misconduct cases has instilled a heightened awareness of the importance of robust policy enforcement and student safety.

5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed (Moore County Jurisdiction/Logistics)

For Moore County families, understanding the legal process for a hazing case at Baylor University is crucial. Law enforcement investigations would primarily be handled by the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) for on-campus incidents, or the Waco Police Department for off-campus events within the city limits. Civil lawsuits related to hazing at Baylor would typically be filed in state district courts in McLennan County, where Waco is located. As a private institution, Baylor University does not have the protection of sovereign immunity, which can make it more straightforward to pursue claims against the university itself. However, Baylor’s legal teams are robust, and they often seek to keep details of internal investigations private. Our firm is skilled in compelling discovery from private universities and navigating the McLennan County judicial system to uncover the evidence necessary for a strong case.

5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do

For Baylor students from Moore County and their families:

• Familiarize yourselves with Baylor’s anti-hazing policies and the specific reporting pathways available through the Dean of Students or the EthicsPoint hotline.
• Be especially vigilant given Baylor’s past institutional challenges. While unrelated to hazing, the university’s prior scandals underscore the need for families to be proactive advocates for student safety.
• Prioritize medical attention immediately if your student is injured or in distress, ensuring that the cause of injury is clearly documented by medical professionals.
• Thoroughly document any suspected hazing. This includes preserving group chats, photos, direct messages, and keeping detailed records of all interactions and observations.
• Contact an experienced hazing attorney without delay. Our firm understands the unique cultural and legal landscape of Baylor University and the Waco area, and we are prepared to rigorously investigate and pursue accountability against all responsible parties.

Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories

For families in Moore County, a critical aspect of understanding hazing is the interconnectedness of local university chapters with their national organizations. While a specific fraternity or sorority at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor may seem like a distinct campus group, it is often part of a much larger national (and sometimes international) entity with a shared history and recurring patterns of behavior regarding hazing.

Why National Histories Matter

The reality is that many fraternities and sororities active at Texas universities—including prominent names like Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Phi, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa Alpha Order, Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Sigma, and Sigma Chi—are part of national organizations. These national headquarters are not merely figureheads; they dictate policies, receive dues, provide training, and are ultimately responsible for the safety and conduct of their local chapters.

National HQs often have voluminous anti-hazing manuals and sophisticated risk management policies. These exist precisely because they have seen deaths, catastrophic injuries, and multi-million-dollar lawsuits stemming from hazing incidents at their chapters across the country. They know the patterns: the forced drinking nights, the paddling traditions, the humiliating rituals, and the secrecy.

When a local Texas chapter repeats the same hazing script that has caused injuries or deaths elsewhere, it can demonstrate foreseeability. This pattern of prior similar incidents at other chapters can strongly support arguments of negligence or even gross negligence against national entities, showing they knew or should have known their practices were dangerous but failed to adequately prevent them.

Organization Mapping (Synthesized)

Many of the fraternities and sororities present at Texas’s major universities have national counterparts with documented histories of hazing. Here’s a brief synthesis of some of these organizations and relevant national incidents:

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor. Nationally infamous for the Stone Foltz death at Bowling Green State University (2021), where he was forced to consume a bottle of alcohol, resulting in a $10 million settlement. Also involved in the David Bogenberger death at Northern Illinois University ($14 million settlement). These incidents establish a clear pattern of severe alcohol hazing.
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU. Has a national history riddled with hazing-related deaths and severe injuries, leading them to famously (and unsuccessfully) attempt to ban pledging years ago. Recent lawsuits include a traumatic brain injury suit at the University of Alabama (2023) and severe chemical burns alleged by pledges at Texas A&M (2021). An Australian exchange student also sued the UT Austin chapter in 2024 for alleged assault.
• Phi Delta Theta: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor. Its Louisiana State University chapter was responsible for the Max Gruver hazing death (2017), leading to the felony Max Gruver Act in Louisiana and a $6.1 million verdict against those involved.
• Pi Kappa Phi: Found at UH, Texas A&M, and UT Austin. Involved in the Andrew Coffey hazing death at Florida State University (2017) during a “Big Brother Night” involving forced alcohol consumption.
• Beta Theta Pi: Present at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and SMU. Gained national infamy for the Timothy Piazza hazing death at Penn State (2017), where fraternity members delayed calling 911 for hours after he sustained fatal brain injuries from forced drinking.
• Kappa Alpha Order (KA): Present at Texas A&M and SMU. At SMU, the chapter was suspended in 2017 following allegations of paddling, forced drinking, and sleep deprivation.
• Kappa Sigma (KS): Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor. Faced a $12.6 million jury verdict in the Chad Meredith drowning death at the University of Miami (2001), which occurred after fraternity members persuaded him to swim while intoxicated. Another active lawsuit at Texas A&M (2023) alleges severe injuries, including rhabdomyolysis, from physical hazing.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): Present at Texas A&M. The University of Missouri chapter was involved in the Danny Santulli case (2021), where hazing caused severe, permanent brain damage requiring 24/7 care, leading to multi-million dollar settlements with 22 defendants.
• Sigma Chi: Chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Baylor. At the College of Charleston in 2024, a family received more than $10 million in damages for physical beatings, forced consumption of drugs/alcohol, and psychological torment. Has also faced hazing allegations at UT Arlington in 2020 related to alcohol poisoning.
• Pi Delta Psi: A multicultural fraternity (present at UH, UT Austin) where its Baruch College chapter was criminally convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter in the Chun “Michael” Deng hazing death (2013) during a ritualized physical assault at an off-campus retreat.
• Omega Psi Phi (Ques): Present at all five major Texas universities. At the University of Southern Mississippi (2023), a former student alleged severe “Hell Night” beatings with a wooden paddle, requiring emergency surgery. Joseph Snell (1997) successfully sued the organization for $375,000 for severe beatings he endured at Bowie State.
• Alpha Phi Alpha: Present at UH, UT Austin, Texas A&M, SMU, and Baylor. Nationally, incidents like the Joel Harris death at Morehouse College (1989) have contributed to a long history of hazing concerns.
• Sigma Pi: While not explicitly listed for all five Texas campuses, its national organization was involved in the Collin Wiant death at Ohio University (2018) from hazing-related drug use at an unofficial house, leading to “Collin’s Law” in Ohio. Incidents at unofficial houses remain a major concern.

Tie Back to Legal Strategy

These national and campus-specific patterns directly inform our legal strategy when representing Moore County families affected by hazing. When dozens of similar incidents occur across different chapters of the same national organization, it becomes evident that the national entity frequently had repeated warnings. This history allows us to argue in court that the national organization could and should have foreseen the dangers, especially if their local Texas chapters replicated those risky behaviors.

This crucial evidence can:

• Increase settlement leverage: By demonstrating a national organization’s pattern of negligence, we can strengthen our clients’ negotiating position.
• Navigate insurance coverage disputes: Insurers often try to deny coverage for “intentional acts,” but a pattern of organizational failure to prevent foreseeable harm can force them to cover negligent supervision claims.
• Support punitive damages: In cases where a national organization shows a callous indifference to known risks and repeated warnings, it can strengthen arguments for punitive damages, which are designed to punish egregious conduct and deter future similar acts.

For Moore County families, understanding this national context provides a powerful foundation for building strong legal cases right here in Texas.

Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy

Successfully pursuing a hazing case requires a meticulous approach, leveraging different types of evidence and understanding the full scope of damages. For families in Moore County and across Texas, knowing what goes into building a strong case can empower them to act decisively.

Evidence

Modern hazing leaves a vast digital footprint, making evidence collection a critical, and often time-sensitive, process.

• Digital Communications: These are often the most direct and damning pieces of evidence. We look for:

  • GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and fraternity/sorority apps: These platforms are frequently used for planning, communicating instructions, and discussing hazing activities.
  • Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, and TikTok comments: These can reveal conversations, humiliation tactics, or specific instructions.
  • Content: Not just the text, but timestamps, sender names, and the full context of conversations. Crucially, digital forensics can often recover deleted messages, but original screenshots are invaluable.
  • 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.

• Photos & Videos: Visual evidence can be incredibly powerful.

  • Content filmed by members during hazing events, often initially for entertainment within the group.
  • Footage shared in group chats, on private social media, or even posted publicly.
  • Security camera or Ring/doorbell footage from fraternity/sorority houses or event venues.

• Internal Organization Documents: These can reveal official policies versus actual practices.

  • Pledge manuals, initiation scripts, or lists of “traditions.”
  • Emails or texts from officers giving instructions or making derogatory comments about pledges.
  • National policies and training materials, which can expose the gap between what’s preached and what’s practiced.

• University Records: We can compel universities to produce their records.

  • Prior conduct files, records of probation, suspensions, or letters of warning against the specific organization.
  • Incident reports filed with campus police or student conduct offices.
  • Clery Act reports and other public safety disclosures.

• Medical and Psychological Records: Documenting the harm is paramount.

  • Emergency room and hospitalization records, including ambulance reports, initial assessments, and critical care notes.
  • Surgery and rehabilitation notes for physical injuries.
  • Toxicology reports for alcohol or drug-related hazing.
  • Psychological evaluations and therapy notes from mental health professionals to document PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation resulting from the hazing.

• Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts are crucial.

  • Pledges, current members, former members who quit, roommates, Resident Assistants (RAs), coaches, trainers, or other bystanders.
  • Former members who were expelled or disaffiliated can often provide insider accounts without fear of retaliation from the organization.

Damages

When hazing inflicts harm, the law provides for compensation to address the various forms of suffering. While every case is unique, the types of damages generally fall into these categories:

• Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers all costs related to physical and psychological treatment.

  • Immediate care: Emergency room visits, ambulance transport, hospitalization, ICU stays, and surgeries.
  • Ongoing treatment: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, long-term rehabilitation, and necessary medications.
  • Long-term care: For catastrophic injuries like brain damage or organ damage, this can include a life care plan to cover decades of specialized medical and personal care.

• Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: Hazing can derail a student’s academic and career path.

  • Lost income from missed work (for the student or a parent who must take time off for care).
  • Impact on educational opportunities: Missed semesters, withdrawal from school, loss of scholarships, and delayed graduation.
  • Diminished future earning capacity: If permanent physical or psychological injuries prevent a student from pursuing their chosen career or reduce their lifetime earning potential, expert economists calculate this loss.

• Non-Economic Damages: These address the intangible, yet profound, suffering.

  • Physical pain and suffering: The pain from injuries, ongoing chronic pain, and the loss of physical abilities.
  • Emotional distress, trauma, and humiliation: This includes diagnosed conditions like PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and the deep humiliation and loss of dignity.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: The inability to participate in hobbies, sports, social activities, or the general joy of being a young adult.

• Wrongful Death Damages (for Families): When hazing tragically results in a student’s death, surviving family members can pursue specific damages:

  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of financial support the deceased would have provided to their family.
  • Profound loss of companionship, love, and society for parents, siblings, and spouses.
  • Grief and emotional suffering of the family members.
  • Our firm has extensive experience in wrongful death cases (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/), helping families secure meaningful recoveries.

• Punitive Damages: In egregious cases, punitive damages may be awarded not to compensate the victim, but to punish profoundly reckless or malicious conduct and deter others. These are typically available when defendants had repeated warnings about similar conduct but showed a callous indifference to the risks.

We describe these categories of damages transparently, emphasizing that every case is unique and no specific dollar amounts can be guaranteed.

Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage

The various liable parties often have robust insurance policies designed to protect them, but securing coverage can be a battle.

• National fraternities, sororities, and universities typically carry liability insurance policies.
• Insurers may argue that hazing or “intentional acts” are explicitly excluded from coverage. This is a common defense tactic.
• The Manginello Law Firm leverages our deep experience to:
  • Identify all potential sources of insurance coverage: From individual homeowner policies to chapter and national fraternity policies, and university umbrella policies.
  • Navigate complex disputes about exclusions and “intentional conduct”: We argue that even if the hazers acted intentionally, the organization’s negligent supervision or failure to prevent foreseeable harm should be covered.
  • Force insurers to defend and ultimately settle cases at fair values, or pursue bad faith claims when they fail to honor their obligations.

Our strategy is to always identify every potentially liable party and every available insurance policy to maximize recovery for our clients.

Practical Guides & FAQs

When a family in Moore County or anywhere in Texas faces the aftermath of hazing, practical, actionable advice is invaluable. Here are guides for parents, students, and witnesses, along with answers to frequently asked questions.

For Parents

No parent wants to imagine their child experiencing hazing. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can be critical.

• Warning Signs of Hazing: Be alert to these changes:

  • Unexplained injuries (bruises, burns, sprains) or repeated “accidents,” especially if the explanations seem vague or don’t add up.
  • Sudden exhaustion or extreme sleep deprivation, often accompanied by late-night “mandatory” activities.
  • Drastic changes in mood: Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, sudden withdrawal from family or old friends.
  • Constant secret phone use for group chats, coupled with fear of missing calls or messages.
  • Financial Red Flags: Unexpected requests for money, increased spending on alcohol or items for older members, or unexplained debit card charges.
  • Academic Decline: Missing classes, falling asleep in lectures, or a sudden drop in grades.

• How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation with empathy, not judgment.

  • Start with open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with the fraternity/sorority?”
  • Emphasize their safety and well-being over status or “fitting in.” Reassure them that you will support them no matter what.
  • Let them know that hazing can be coercion, and their safety matters more than any “loyalty” to a group.

• If Your Child is Hurt: Prioritize action and documentation.

  • Get them immediate medical care. Your child’s health is paramount. Do not delay.
  • Document everything: Take clear photos of injuries, screenshot any texts or social media posts, and write down everything your child tells you while it’s fresh in your memory. Save names, dates, and locations.

• Dealing with the University: Be cautious and strategic.

  • Document every communication you have with administrators. Keep emails and detailed notes of phone calls.
  • Ask specific questions about prior incidents involving the same organization and what measures the school took in response.

• When to Talk to a Lawyer: Don’t delay seeking legal counsel.

  • If your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm.
  • If you feel the university or organization is minimizing the incident, attempting a cover-up, or failing to conduct a thorough investigation. Our firm offers confidential, no-obligation consultations.

For Students / Pledges

This advice is for you—students in Moore County or across Texas who are facing the pressures of initiation or new member activities.

• Is this hazing or just tradition?

  • Ask yourself: Does this make me feel unsafe, humiliated, or coerced? Am I forced to drink or endure pain? Is this activity hidden from the public or administrators? If the answer is yes to any of these, it probably is hazing, regardless of what they call it. The legal definition of hazing is about the impact and purpose, not the label.

• Why “consent” isn’t the end of the story:

  • You might be told, “You agreed to this,” or “You always have a choice.” But the law understands that consent given under immense peer pressure, fear of exclusion, or the threat of not being initiated is often not true, voluntary consent. You have rights, and the law protects you.

• Exiting and reporting safely:

  • You have the right to leave at any time. If you feel unsafe in doing so, tell a trusted adult outside the organization—a parent, a Resident Assistant (RA), a coach, or a professor.
  • Utilize anonymous reporting channels offered by your university or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293).
  • Documentation is key: Screenshot group chats, take photos of injuries, and save any evidence you can.

• Good-faith reporting and amnesty:

  • Many schools and Texas law provide amnesty or immunity for students who call for help in an emergency, even if underage drinking or other rule violations were involved. Your safety and the safety of your peers is the priority.

For Former Members / Witnesses

You may have participated in hazing, witnessed it, or feel conflicted about being silent. Your honest testimony and evidence can make a profound difference.

• Acknowledge your feelings: It’s common to feel guilt, fear of retaliation, or loyalty to the organization. However, your testimony can prevent future harm and save lives.
• Your evidence is powerful: If you have any internal documents, photos, videos, or group chats related to hazing, this evidence can be crucial for an investigation and legal case.
• Seek legal advice: You may want to consult your own attorney to understand your rights, potential liabilities, and how cooperation can best be managed. Attorneys can often help navigate your concerns while working towards accountability.

Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case

For Moore County families and students facing hazing, avoid these common missteps that can severely undermine a legal claim:

1. Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence. While you might think you’re protecting them from further trouble, this destroys crucial evidence, can be seen as obstructive, and makes building a case nearly impossible. Preserve everything immediately, even if it’s embarrassing.
2. Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly. This immediately signals that a legal action is brewing, prompting the organization to lawyer up, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and solidify their defenses. Document everything first, then consult with an attorney.
3. Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms without legal advice. Universities sometimes pressure families to sign waivers or agreements for “internal resolution.” These documents can waive your right to pursue a lawsuit or may offer a settlement far below what your case is truly worth. Never sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first.
4. Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer. What you post online can be used against you. Defense attorneys track social media, and any perceived inconsistencies can harm credibility. Let your lawyer control public messaging strategically.
5. Letting your child go back for “one last meeting” with the organization. Once you’re considering legal action, these meetings are often designed to pressure, intimidate, or extract statements that can later be used against your case. All communication should go through your lawyer.
6. Waiting “to see how the university handles it.” While university investigations are important, they operate on different timelines and with different priorities than a legal case. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations can run out. Preserve evidence and consult an attorney 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 to speak with them and inform them that your attorney will contact them. For more crucial advice, watch Attorney911’s video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY.

Short FAQ

“Can I sue a university for hazing in Texas?”
Yes, under certain circumstances. Public universities (like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin) often invoke sovereign immunity, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or certain Title IX violations. Private universities (like SMU, Baylor) generally have fewer immunity protections. Every case is fact-specific; contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis.

“Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. Under Texas law, hazing starts as a Class B misdemeanor, but it escalates to a State Jail Felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals who fail to report hazing can also face misdemeanor charges.

“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 and universities recognize the immense power dynamics and peer pressure involved, meaning “consent” under such circumstances is not truly voluntary.

“How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit?”
Generally, the statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date of the injury or death. However, this period can sometimes be extended by the discovery rule (if the injury or its cause was not immediately apparent) or tolled (paused) in cases of fraudulent concealment or if the victim was a minor. Given how quickly evidence disappears, time is critical. For more information, watch our video on the statute of limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately to protect your rights.

“What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?”
The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability. Universities and national organizations can still be held responsible based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and the foreseeability of hazing occurring off-campus. Major hazing cases have resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments even when the incident occurred at off-campus rentals or unofficial houses.

“Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
Many hazing cases, especially those involving severe injuries or highly sensitive details, are settled confidentially before trial. While we prioritize justice and accountability, we also work to protect your family’s privacy through requests for sealed court records and confidential settlement terms.

About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action

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. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, is a Houston-based Texas personal injury firm with deep expertise in serious injury, wrongful death, and institutional accountability cases. We serve families throughout Texas, including Moore County and surrounding areas, who have been impacted by hazing at any Texas campus. We are not afraid to take on national fraternities, major universities, or their formidable defense teams.

Our qualifications for handling hazing cases are unique and powerful:

• Insurance Insider Advantage: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/), brings invaluable insight. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and often undervalue) hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusion, and their settlement strategies because she used to run their playbook. This gives our clients a distinct edge.
• Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions: Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/), has a proven track record. He was one of the few Texas firms involved in the complex BP Texas City explosion litigation and has extensive federal court experience (United States District Court, Southern District of Texas). We have taken on billion-dollar corporations and won, meaning we are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their array of defense lawyers. We know how to fight powerful defendants and hold them accountable.
• Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We have secured multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death cases. We understand how to work with economists to value a life, and how to collaborate with medical and life-care planning experts to calculate the true cost of lifelong injuries, such as brain damage or permanent disability. We don’t settle cheap; we build cases that force accountability.
• Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) provides a crucial advantage. He understands how criminal hazing charges interact with civil litigation, allowing our team to advise witnesses and former members who may face dual exposure.
• Unrivaled Investigative Depth: We investigate like your child’s life depends on it—because it does. Our network of experts includes medical professionals, digital forensics specialists, economists, and psychologists. We are experts at obtaining hidden evidence, whether it’s deleted group chats, internal chapter records, or sensitive university files, leveraging discovery and public records requests.

We understand how fraternities, sororities, Corps programs, and athletic departments actually work behind closed doors. Knowing their internal dynamics, “loophole” tactics, and pressure points is what allows us to effectively litigate these cases. We know that this is one of the hardest things a family can face, which is why we approach every hazing case with empathy, tenacity, and a genuine commitment to justice. Our job is to get you answers, hold the responsible parties accountable, and help prevent this from happening to another family. We believe in thorough investigation and real accountability, not just quick settlements. We’re fighting for your children and for a safer future for every student in Texas.

Call to Action

If your child, whether from Moore County or elsewhere, experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it was the University of Houston, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, Baylor, or another institution—we want to hear from you. Families in Moore 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 your family.

Here’s what you can expect from your free consultation:

• We will listen to your story without judgment and with complete confidentiality.
• We will review any evidence you have already gathered.
• We will explain your legal options, whether that involves a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
• We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect throughout the legal process.
• We will answer your questions about costs, clearly explaining our contingency fee basis—we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Watch our video to learn more about how contingency fees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
• There’s no pressure to hire us on the spot; we want you to take the time you need to decide.

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

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?
Servicios legales en español disponibles. Contacte a Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com para una consulta en español.

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