The crisp autumn air settling over Cedar Hill can mark the excitement of college life for many families here—new experiences, new friendships, and the pursuit of education. Yet, for some students transitioning from Cedar Hill’s vibrant community to a Texas university campus, the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare when they encounter hazing. Imagine a scenario unfolding on a college campus just a few hours’ drive from Cedar Hill:
It’s “initiation night” at an off-campus fraternity house. A student, much like your son or daughter perhaps, is being pressured to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol, far beyond safe limits. They’re told it’s “tradition,” something everyone goes through to earn their place. Others around them are filming on phones, chanting, and laughing as the situation escalates. Suddenly, the student stumbles, vomits, and then collapses. Panic flickers through the room, but no one wants to call 911 because they’re afraid of “getting the chapter shut down” or “getting in trouble.” The student lies there, caught between the group’s misplaced loyalty and their own desperate need for safety.
This isn’t a fictional tale; it’s a terrifyingly common experience for college students across Texas—including those attending schools where Cedar Hill families send their children.
This comprehensive guide is designed for families in Cedar Hill and across our great state who need to understand: what hazing truly looks like in 2025, how Texas and federal laws address it, the critical lessons from major national cases and their implications for Texas families, and the specific incidents and environments at our major universities like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, and Baylor. Most importantly, we will outline the legal options available to victims and their families in Cedar Hill and throughout Texas.
Please remember, this article provides general information and is not specific legal advice. The Manginello Law Firm is here to evaluate individual cases based on their unique facts, and we proudly serve families throughout Texas, including our neighbors in Cedar Hill.
Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies
If this scenario sounds too close to home, or if you or your child is in immediate danger, action must be taken without hesitation.
If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:
- Call 911 for medical emergencies. Prioritize their life and health above all else.
- 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, every second counts for evidence preservation:
- Get medical attention immediately, even if the student insists they are “fine.” Don’t let fear of “getting in trouble” prevent life-saving care.
- Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, and direct messages immediately, including timestamps and participant names.
- Photograph any injuries from multiple angles, with a ruler or coin for scale, and continue documenting their progression over several days.
- Save any physical items like damaged clothing, receipts for forced purchases, or objects used in the hazing.
- Write down everything while memory is fresh: who was involved, what happened, when it happened, and where.
- Do NOT:
- Confront the fraternity, sorority, or any individuals directly. This can lead to evidence destruction or retaliation.
- Sign anything from the university or an insurance company without legal review.
- Post details on public social media before consulting a lawyer; this can harm your case.
- Allow your child to delete messages or “clean up” any evidence.
Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:
Evidence disappears with alarming speed—deleted group chats, destroyed objects, coached witnesses. Universities also often move quickly to control the narrative. We can help preserve critical evidence and protect your child’s rights from the very beginning. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate, confidential consultation.
Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like
For families in Cedar Hill, understanding hazing requires moving beyond outdated stereotypes of mischievous pranks. Modern hazing is often sophisticated, deeply psychological, and designed to evade detection, while still retaining elements of physical and alcohol abuse that can turn deadly.
Hazing, in plain English, is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, on or off campus, by an individual or a group, directed against a student, that endangers their mental or physical health or safety for the purpose of joining, initiating into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. It’s critical to emphasize that “I agreed to it” does not automatically make the activity safe or legal, especially when peer pressure, power imbalance, and the desire to belong are at play.
Main Categories of Hazing
Hazing manifests in various forms, often escalating or intertwining with each other:
- Alcohol and Substance Hazing: This is tragically common and often the deadliest form. It involves forced or coerced drinking, such as “lineup” drinking games where pledges must rapidly consume alcohol, chugging challenges, beer funnels, or “Big/Little” nights where pledges are given handles of liquor. It can also include pressure to consume unknown or illicit substances.
- Physical Hazing: This category encompasses direct physical abuse like paddling and beatings, or extreme physical exertion such as excessive calisthenics, “workouts,” or “smokings” far beyond reasonable conditioning. Sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, and exposure to extreme environmental conditions (cold, heat) are also forms of physical hazing.
- Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing: These acts deeply degrade individuals. Examples include forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts (such as “roasted pig” positions), wearing degrading costumes, and acts with racial, sexist, or homophobic overtones, slurs, or forced role-playing.
- Psychological Hazing: This often leaves invisible scars. It involves verbal abuse, threats, isolation from outside contacts, manipulation, and forced confessions. Public shaming, whether in person or on social media, can inflict immense emotional distress.
- Digital/Online Hazing: This is a rapidly evolving form, reflecting the digital lives of students. It includes group chat dares, “challenges,” and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord. There is often pressure to create or share compromising images or videos as a “badge of loyalty.” Students may be required to share their location constantly or respond instantly to messages at all hours.
Where Hazing Actually Happens
The perception that hazing is limited to unruly fraternities is dangerously outdated. While Greek life remains a significant arena for hazing, it occurs across a wide spectrum of student organizations:
- Fraternities and Sororities: This includes those under Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and various multicultural Greek councils.
- Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups: These groups, with their emphasis on hierarchy and tradition, can sometimes foster environments where hazing takes root.
- Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs: Organizations like the Texas Cowboys at UT Austin, or other spirit and tradition-based groups, have faced hazing allegations.
- Athletic Teams: From football to basketball, baseball, cheer, and even esports, hazing can occur across all levels of team sports.
- Marching Bands and Performance Groups: Even seemingly benign organizations like marching bands have been implicated in severe hazing incidents.
- Other Organizations: Some service, cultural, and academic organizations, where members are eager to belong, can also succumb to hazing practices.
The unfortunate reality is that social status, the allure of tradition, and an enforced culture of secrecy allow these practices to persist, even when everyone “knows” hazing is illegal and dangerous. The intense desire to belong, especially for students new to a university environment, can make them vulnerable to coercive behaviors that they would otherwise never tolerate.
Law & Liability Framework (Texas + Federal)
Understanding the legal landscape surrounding hazing in Texas provides a critical framework for Cedar Hill families seeking justice and accountability. It’s a complex area, but one where the law offers significant avenues for recourse.
Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)
Texas has specific, robust anti-hazing provisions outlined in the Texas Education Code. In plain terms, hazing is broadly defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student. This can be forced alcohol consumption, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, or severe psychological manipulation.
Here’s how Texas law addresses hazing:
- Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a criminal offense in Texas. While a basic hazing offense can be a Class B misdemeanor, it escalates significantly. If hazing causes injury that requires medical treatment, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. Critically, if hazing results in serious bodily injury or death, it is classified as a state jail felony. Individuals who fail to report hazing they know about, or who retaliate against someone who reports it, can also face misdemeanor charges.
- Reporter Protections: Texas law provides some immunity for individuals who report hazing incidents in good faith to campus officials or law enforcement. Additionally, Texas has laws that offer amnesty for students who call 911 in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking or other minor offenses were involved. This encourages seeking help without fear of personal legal repercussions for the caller.
It’s important to remember that this is a summary; the actual statute contains more technical specifications.
Criminal vs. Civil Cases
When hazing occurs, two distinct legal processes can be set in motion:
- Criminal Cases: These are brought by the state (through a local prosecutor’s office) against individuals or organizations accused of violating criminal statutes. The aim in a criminal case is punishment—fines, jail time, or probation. Hazing-related criminal charges can include the hazing offenses themselves, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or even manslaughter in fatal cases.
- Civil Cases: These are initiated by victims or their surviving families against individuals and entities responsible for the harm. The objective in a civil case is monetary compensation (damages) for the injuries, losses, and suffering incurred, as well as to hold the responsible parties accountable. Civil claims often focus on negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent hiring or supervision, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Crucially, a criminal conviction is not required to pursue a civil case. The standards of proof differ, and it is common for civil suits to proceed even if criminal charges are not filed or do not result in a conviction. Both processes can run concurrently.
Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery
Beyond Texas state law, federal regulations also play a role in addressing campus hazing:
- Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): This significant federal legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid must publicly report hazing incidents more transparently, strengthen hazing education and prevention initiatives, and maintain public data on hazing. This will be phased in by around 2026, creating new levels of accountability and information for families.
- Title IX / Clery Act: When hazing involves elements of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination or hostility, Title IX obligations are triggered, requiring universities to investigate and address such conduct. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Hazing incidents involving assaults, alcohol or drug crimes, or other reportable offenses can fall under Clery reporting requirements, further pushing for transparency.
Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit
Determining liability in a hazing case is complex, but several categories of individuals and institutions can be held responsible:
- Individual Students: Those who planned, orchestrated, supplied alcohol, carried out the hazing acts, or actively participated in covering them up can be held personally liable.
- Local Chapter / Organization: The specific fraternity, sorority, club, or athletic team itself, especially if it operates as a recognized legal entity, can be sued. Key individuals within the chapter, such as officers or “pledge educators,” may also be defendants.
- National Fraternity/Sorority: The national headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and oversees local chapters, can be held liable. This liability often hinges on whether the national organization knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing within its chapters and failed to adequately intervene or enforce its own rules.
- University or Governing Board: The college or university can be sued under theories of negligence, gross negligence, or even civil rights violations (such as Title IX). A university’s liability often depends on factors like whether they had prior warnings about hazing, how they enforced their anti-hazing policies, and if they showed deliberate indifference to known risks.
- Third Parties: This can include landlords or owners of properties where hazing occurred (e.g., off-campus houses, event spaces), bars or alcohol providers (under dram shop laws for over-serving), or even security companies or event organizers who failed in their duties.
Every hazing case is fact-specific, and not every party listed here will be liable in every situation. An experienced hazing attorney carefully investigates all potential avenues of liability to ensure full accountability.
National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)
When a hazing incident rocks a Texas campus, the specifics are local, but the patterns often echo tragedies that have played out across the nation. These anchor stories demonstrate the dangers of hazing, the legal consequences, and why Cedar Hill families should understand that these aren’t isolated incidents, but rather often part of a disturbing national pattern.
Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern
The most frequent and deadly form of hazing involves forced or excessive alcohol consumption. This pattern has claimed numerous young lives, leading to significant legal action and legislative reform.
- Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017): In one of the most publicized hazing deaths, 19-year-old Timothy Piazza died after a “bid acceptance” event where he was forced to consume vast amounts of alcohol. He fell repeatedly, suffering traumatic brain injuries, but fraternity brothers delayed calling for medical help for hours, actions captured on the chapter’s own security cameras. The aftermath 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 grimly highlights how extreme intoxication, delayed emergency calls, and a pervasive culture of silence can lead to devastating legal and human consequences.
- Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017): Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night” event. Pledges were reportedly given handles of hard liquor and pressured to drink them. The incident resulted in criminal hazing charges for multiple members, and Florida State University temporarily suspended all Greek life, implementing wide-ranging policy overhauls. This case tragically illustrates how formulaic, alcohol-fueled “tradition” nights are a repeating script for disaster in many fraternities.
- Maxwell “Max” Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017): Pledges, including Max Gruver, were forced to participate in a “Bible study” drinking game where incorrect answers meant chugging copious amounts of alcohol. Max died with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.495%. The outrage led to the swift enactment of Louisiana’s felony hazing law, the Max Gruver Act. His death is a clear example of how public outcry and undeniable evidence of hazing can directly lead to significant legislative change.
- Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021): Stone Foltz, a 20-year-old pledge, was forced to consume an entire bottle of whiskey during a “Big/Little” night. He died of critical alcohol poisoning. The tragic incident resulted in multiple criminal convictions for fraternity members. In 2023, the Foltz family reached a $10 million settlement, including $7 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity and nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University. This case underscores that universities, even public ones, can face substantial financial and reputational consequences alongside the fraternities themselves.
Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern
Beyond alcohol, physical and ritualistic hazing can lead to severe injuries and death, often involving calculated measures to “break down” new members.
- Chun “Michael” Deng – Baruch College / Pi Delta Psi (2013): Michael Deng died after being subjected to a brutal, blindfolded “glass ceiling” ritual during a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Members repeatedly tackled him while he wore a weighted backpack. Help was deliberately delayed following his severe head injuries. Multiple members were convicted, and the Pi Delta Psi national fraternity was itself convicted of aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter, subsequently banned from operating in Pennsylvania for 10 years. This landmark case demonstrates that off-campus “retreats”—often chosen to evade campus oversight—can be as dangerous or even more dangerous than on-campus incidents, and that national organizations face significant legal and criminal sanctions for such conduct.
Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse
Hazing is not confined to Greek letter organizations. High-profile athletic programs, often seen as pillars of school spirit, can also harbor deeply embedded hazing cultures.
- Northwestern University Football (2023–2025): A massive scandal erupted at Northwestern when former football players alleged widespread sexualized and racist hazing within the program over many years. This led to multiple players suing the university and coaching staff. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired and later pursued his own wrongful-termination lawsuit. This case powerfully illustrates that hazing extends beyond Greek life into major, high-profile athletic programs, raising critical questions about institutional oversight and accountability.
What These Cases Mean for Texas Families
These national tragedies share common, heartbreaking threads: forced drinking, humiliation, physical violence, delayed or denied medical care, and a pervasive culture of secrecy and cover-up. They also demonstrate that meaningful reforms and multi-million-dollar settlements often follow only after public tragedies and determined litigation.
For Cedar Hill families whose children attend or plan to attend a Texas university like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, these national lessons are directly applicable. They show that accountability is possible, that institutions can be held responsible, and that the fight for justice is often long but necessary to prevent future harm.
Texas Focus: UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, Baylor
For Cedar Hill families, understanding the specific environments at Texas universities is crucial. While our children may commute or travel from Cedar Hill to these campuses, the incidents and policies at these institutions directly impact their safety and well-being. Cedar Hill, located in Ellis County, is within a reasonable distance to several major universities, with Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex schools like SMU and Baylor being relatively close, and Houston and Austin within a few hours’ drive. Our firm serves families from Cedar Hill and communities across Ellis County, Dallas County, and the broader North Texas region, extending our reach across the entire state.
5.1 University of Houston (UH)
The University of Houston, a vibrant urban campus in the heart of our state’s largest city, attracts many students from Cedar Hill and the DFW Metroplex. Its active Greek life and diverse student organizations mean that hazing concerns resonate strongly with families whose children participate in these groups.
5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot
UH is a large, diverse urban university with a mix of commuter and residential students. Its Greek life is robust, featuring fraternities and sororities under multiple councils (Panhellenic, IFC, MGC, NPHC). Beyond Greek life, UH boasts a wide array of student organizations, including cultural groups, sports clubs, and academic societies, all of which can be arenas for hazing.
5.1.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
The University of Houston maintains a strict anti-hazing policy, prohibiting any act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or affiliation. This specifically includes forced consumption of alcohol/food/drugs, sleep deprivation, physical mistreatment, and acts that cause mental distress. UH provides various 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 online.
5.1.3 Example Incident & Response
One notable incident involved the Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity in 2016. Pledges allegedly endured sleep, food, and water deprivation during a multi-day hazing event. A student reportedly suffered a lacerated spleen after being slammed onto a table or similar surface. The chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges, and the university issued a suspension. Subsequent disciplinary references at UH involving other fraternities have cited behavior “likely to produce mental or physical discomfort,” including alcohol misuse and policy violations, leading to additional suspensions and probations. These incidents highlight UH’s willingness to suspend chapters, though public details can sometimes be limited.
5.1.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed
For a hazing case at UH, the involved agencies might include the University of Houston Police Department (UHPD) for incidents on campus, or the Houston Police Department for off-campus events. Civil suits against individuals, chapters, national organizations, or the university would typically 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/sorority, and potentially the University of Houston itself, along with any property owners where the hazing occurred.
5.1.5 What UH Students & Parents Should Do
Families in Cedar Hill with students at UH should be particularly vigilant.
- Report Concerns: If you suspect hazing, report it to the UH Dean of Students office, UHPD, or through their online reporting forms.
- Document Everything: Keep a meticulous record of any communications with the university and notes on prior complaints or known incidents within particular organizations.
- Seek Legal Counsel: Talking to a lawyer experienced in Houston-based hazing cases can be critical. An attorney can help uncover prior disciplinary actions and internal files that may not be publicly accessible, bolstering your case.
5.2 Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University in College Station holds a unique place in the hearts of many Texans, including residents of Cedar Hill, with its strong traditions and the revered Corps of Cadets. However, its intense culture, while often positive, has also regrettably seen its share of hazing allegations, particularly within Greek life and the Corps.
5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot
Texas A&M is renowned for its deep-rooted traditions and a strong sense of community. The Corps of Cadets, a military-style organization, is central to Aggie identity, alongside a vibrant Greek life and a plethora of student organizations. This environment, with its emphasis on hierarchy, loyalty, and “tradition,” can sometimes create conditions ripe for hazing.
5.2.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
Texas A&M unequivocally prohibits hazing, defining it as any intentional or reckless act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for initiation, affiliation, or continued membership. The university emphasizes that it extends to the Corps of Cadets, athletic teams, and all student organizations. Reporting channels include the Dean of Student Life, Student Conduct Office, the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD), and specific reporting procedures for the Corps of Cadets.
5.2.3 Example Incidents & Response
Hazing incidents at Texas A&M have drawn significant attention. In 2021, two pledges of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity alleged they suffered severe chemical burns after being made to stand in substances including an industrial-strength cleaner, along with eggs and spit, during a forced strenuous activity. Both pledges required skin graft surgeries. The fraternity was suspended for two years, and the pledges sued the chapter for $1 million.
More recently, in 2023, a Corps of Cadets lawsuit alleged degrading hazing, including 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, asserting the university was aware of widespread hazing. This case highlights how hazing can be embedded in long-standing traditions, even within the highly structured environment of the Corps. While A&M stated it handled the matter under its rules, the public scrutiny has been intense.
5.2.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed
For families contemplating legal action due to hazing at Texas A&M, the police agency involved would likely be the Texas A&M University Police Department (UPD), especially for incidents on campus. Off-campus issues might involve the Bryan or College Station police departments. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Brazos County courts. Cases often focus on both Greek life and Corps traditions. As a public university, Texas A&M may claim sovereign immunity, but exceptions often apply in cases of gross negligence or where individual employees are sued in their personal capacity.
5.2.5 What Texas A&M Students & Parents Should Do
Given the particular context of Texas A&M:
- Understand Policies: Familiarize yourself with A&M’s specific hazing policies for both Greek life and the Corps of Cadets.
- Report to Leadership: If hazing is suspected within the Corps, report it to higher-ranking cadets or the Corps leadership and the Dean of Student Life.
- Document and Photograph: Secure any evidence, including digital messages, photos, and medical records, as quickly as possible.
- Legal Expertise: Consult with attorneys experienced in hazing lawsuits against public universities to navigate potential sovereign immunity defenses and investigate institutional responsibility.
5.3 University of Texas at Austin (UT)
The University of Texas at Austin is a flagship institution for many Cedar Hill students and families, a dynamic campus known for its academic rigor and vibrant student life. UT has been notably proactive in publicly reporting hazing incidents, which provides valuable, albeit often troubling, insight for families.
5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot
UT Austin is one of the largest universities in Texas, with an extensive Greek system, numerous spirit organizations, and athletic programs. Its location in the state capital means it is under constant public and media scrutiny. The university has made an effort to be transparent about hazing violations, which, while commendable, also reveals the persistent nature of the problem within its student groups.
5.3.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
UT’s hazing policy is comprehensive, prohibiting any act, on or off campus, that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of membership or affiliation. The university’s website (hazing.utexas.edu) is a primary resource, providing clear reporting channels through the Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, and the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD).
5.3.3 Example Incidents & Response
UT Austin maintains a publicly accessible Hazing Violations page that lists organizations, dates, specific conduct, and sanctions. This transparency is a valuable resource for families in Cedar Hill. For example, in 2023, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity was sanctioned after new members were directed to consume milk and perform strenuous calisthenics, which was determined to be hazing. The chapter was placed on probation and required to implement new hazing-prevention education. Other spirit organizations, like the Texas Wranglers, have also faced disciplinary action for forced workouts, alcohol-related hazing, and other punishment-based practices. While the consistent violations show an ongoing challenge for the university, UT’s transparent approach aids in demonstrating patterns and awareness.
5.3.4 How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed
For incidents at UT Austin, both University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) and the Austin Police Department might be involved. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Travis County, where Austin is located. UT’s public hazing log can be a crucial piece of evidence in civil suits, often showing prior violations and thus supporting arguments that the university had knowledge of an organization’s hazing history. As a public institution, UT may also raise sovereign immunity defenses, requiring careful navigation by experienced legal counsel.
5.3.5 What UT Austin Students & Parents Should Do
Families from Cedar Hill with students at UT should be particularly aware of the university’s transparency:
- Review UT’s Hazing Page: Before your child joins any organization, check UT’s public hazing violations page (hazing.utexas.edu) to see if the group has a history of misconduct.
- Document All Communication: Keep meticulous records of any interaction with UTPD, Austin PD, or university administration.
- Prioritize Confidentiality: When engaging with formal university reporting, understand how “confidential” that process truly is, and consider consulting with a private attorney first to protect your rights.
5.4 Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Southern Methodist University, located in Dallas, is particularly relevant for Cedar Hill families given its proximity. As a private institution, SMU navigates hazing allegations with its own internal policies and processes, which can sometimes differ from public universities.
5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot
SMU is a private, affluent university known for its strong Greek presence. Its fraternities and sororities often play a significant role in student social life, making them points of interest and sometimes concern for families. The private nature of SMU means less public transparency in disciplinary actions than at state institutions, which can present unique challenges for victims and their advocates.
5.4.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
SMU strictly prohibits hazing as defined by Texas law and university regulations. Their policy forbids any act that causes mental or physical harm, discomfort, embarrassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation. Reporting channels typically include the Dean of Students office, the Office of Student Conduct, and the SMU Police Department. SMU also utilizes systems like “Real Response” for anonymous reporting.
5.4.3 Example Incident & Response
In 2017, SMU’s Kappa Alpha Order fraternity chapter was suspended following allegations of hazing that included pledges being paddled, forced to drink alcohol, and deprived of sleep. The chapter faced a lengthy suspension and had restrictions on recruiting that lasted until around 2021. While SMU maintains anti-hazing efforts, the private nature of the institution means that public documentation of specific incidents and resolutions is often less readily available or detailed than at public universities.
5.4.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed
For hazing cases at SMU, the SMU Police Department would have jurisdiction on campus, with the Dallas Police Department handling off-campus incidents. Civil lawsuits against SMU, its student organizations, or individuals would typically be filed in Dallas County courts. As a private university, SMU does not have sovereign immunity, meaning it can be sued more directly than public universities. However, the lack of public disciplinary records may require more aggressive discovery tactics (subpoenas for internal records) to establish prior knowledge and patterns of misconduct.
5.4.5 What SMU Students & Parents Should Do
For Cedar Hill families with children at SMU:
- Question Secrecy: Be wary of any student organization that demands secrecy or tells new members not to communicate with parents or the university.
- Utilize Anonymous Reporting: If direct reporting feels unsafe, use anonymous channels like “Real Response” or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline.
- Early Legal Consultation: Due to less public disclosure, contacting an experienced attorney early can be vitally important to uncover critical information.
5.5 Baylor University
Baylor University in Waco is another key destination for many students from Cedar Hill. Its strong religious identity and emphasis on community values are attractive, yet Baylor has also faced its share of controversies, highlighting the need for vigilance even in seemingly wholesome environments.
5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot
Baylor University is the largest Baptist university in the world, with a unique blend of faith-based education and vibrant campus life, including NCAA Division I athletics and Greek organizations. Baylor’s culture places emphasis on community and shared values, but like any institution, it is not immune to issues surrounding student conduct, including hazing. Baylor has faced intense scrutiny in the past for its handling of sexual assault allegations within its athletic program, which has led to increased awareness of institutional oversight responsibilities.
5.5.2 Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels
Baylor’s anti-hazing policy strictly prohibits hazing, adhering to Texas state law. It mandates that no student or organization may engage in acts that could endanger mental or physical health or safety. Reporting is handled through the Department of Student Activities, the Dean of Students Office, and the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD). The university also provides an online incident reporting form.
5.5.3 Example Incident & Response
Baylor has experienced hazing allegations across various student groups. Notably, in 2020, 14 members of the Baylor baseball team were suspended following a hazing investigation. While the specifics of the hazing were not publicly detailed, the suspensions were staggered over the early season, indicating the university’s response to the allegations. This incident placed Baylor’s official “zero tolerance” stance against the backdrop of recurring misconduct within its athletic programs, echoing broader challenges the university has faced regarding institutional oversight.
5.5.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed
For hazing incidents at Baylor, the Baylor University Police Department (BUPD) would be the primary law enforcement agency on campus, with the Waco Police Department handling off-campus incidents. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in McLennan County courts. As a private university, Baylor does not have sovereign immunity, making it directly subject to civil claims. Cases often involve navigating Baylor’s internal investigation processes and sometimes connecting to its broader history of responding to student misconduct allegations.
5.5.5 What Baylor Students & Parents Should Do
For Cedar Hill families sending students to Baylor:
- Scrutinize Values vs. Reality: Recognize that an institution’s stated values, while important, do not always prevent hazing or misconduct.
- Report Fully: If you report hazing to Baylor officials, be as thorough and detailed as possible in your account, including dates, times, and names.
- Independent Review: Consider independent legal counsel to ensure that Baylor’s internal review processes are fair and that your child’s rights are fully protected.
Fraternities & Sororities: Campus-Specific + National Histories
The Greek letter organizations at UH, Texas A&M, UT, SMU, and Baylor are often chapters of much larger national fraternities and sororities. Understanding the national context of hazing is essential, as the history of a national organization often shines a light on patterns of behavior in its local chapters. This is crucial for Cedar Hill families to grasp when considering the potential for accountability.
6.1 Why National Histories Matter
When a Texas chapter of a national fraternity or sorority engages in hazing, it’s rarely a truly isolated incident. Many national organizations have stringent anti-hazing policies, risk management guidelines, and educational programs precisely because they have faced deaths, severe injuries, and multi-million-dollar lawsuits across the country. These institutions have seen the tragic consequences of forced drinking, brutal physical abuse, and humiliating rituals time and again.
When a local chapter in Texas repeats hazing behaviors that have resulted in tragedies at other chapters in different states, it establishes a powerful argument of foreseeability. Such patterns can be used to show that the national organization knew, or should have known, the dangers inherent in certain activities but failed to adequately intervene to prevent them. This often becomes a cornerstone of negligence arguments and can significantly impact the potential for punitive damages against national entities.
6.2 Organization Mapping: National Hazing Patterns Reflected in Texas
While we cannot list every chapter or every incident, some fraternities and sororities present at Texas universities have recurring national histories that warrant attention.
- Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ / Pike): Present at UH, Texas A&M, and UT. Nationally, Pi Kappa Alpha has been linked to numerous serious hazing incidents. The tragic death of Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University in 2021 from forced alcohol consumption during a “Big/Little” night exemplifies a pattern that extends back years, including the death of David Bogenberger at Northern Illinois University in 2012, leading to multi-million-dollar settlements.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ / SAE): Found at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU. SAE has a well-documented national history of hazing, including multiple alcohol-related deaths and severe injuries across the country. Local chapters have faced scrutiny; for example, the Texas A&M chapter faced a lawsuit alleging severe chemical burns to pledges in 2021, and the UT Austin chapter faced a lawsuit in 2024 alleging assault and injuries to an exchange student during a party. Nationally, SAE even announced an end to its traditional pledge process in 2014 due to its history of incidents.
- Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ): With chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor. The fraternity is tragically linked to the death of Max Gruver at LSU in 2017, who died from forced, rapid alcohol consumption. This incident directly led to Louisiana’s felony hazing statute, the Max Gruver Act, and highlights Phi Delta Theta’s national exposure to such risks.
- Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ): Present at UH, Texas A&M, and UT. Pi Kappa Phi national organization has experienced the tragic death of Andrew Coffey at Florida State University in 2017 due to alcohol poisoning during a “Big Brother Night,” which resulted in criminal charges against members and massive campus reforms.
- Beta Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ): Currently at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and SMU. This fraternity is known in the context of the highly publicized death of Timothy Piazza at Penn State in 2017, where delayed medical treatment after forced drinking and severe falls became a national rallying cry for anti-hazing reform.
- Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ): Found at UH, Texas A&M, UT, and Baylor. Kappa Sigma has a national history of severe hazing, including the death of Chad Meredith at University of Miami in 2001, where a jury awarded $12.6 million for a drowning incident related to hazing. More recently, the Texas A&M chapter faced allegations in 2023 of physical hazing leading to rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle breakdown.
- Kappa Alpha Order (ΚΑ): Active at Texas A&M and SMU. Kappa Alpha has faced numerous hazing suspensions nationally, including at its SMU chapter, underscoring ongoing issues with pledges being subjected to physical abuse and forced drinking.
This pattern evidence shows that particular hazing methods, especially those involving alcohol, are dangerously recurrent within certain organizations, often despite national policies to the contrary.
6.3 Tie Back to Legal Strategy
Understanding these national patterns translates directly into legal strategy for Cedar Hill families pursuing justice. Prior incidents across states and campuses demonstrate that certain organizations have received repeated warnings about their culture and practices. In litigation, experienced attorneys can argue that:
- National organizations had prior knowledge of dangerous hazing practices within their system.
- They failed to meaningfully enforce their own anti-hazing policies and risk management guidelines.
- They responded inadequately to previous incidents, allowing dangerous behaviors to persist.
This evidence can significantly affect:
- Settlement leverage: Demonstrating a pattern strengthens a victim’s position.
- Insurance coverage disputes: It makes it harder for insurers to deny coverage by claiming a local chapter’s actions were “unforeseeable” or “rogue.”
- Potential for punitive damages: In cases where an organization’s conduct is shown to be grossly negligent or willfully indifferent to known risks, punitive damages may be sought (though these are subject to state laws and caps).
For families in Cedar Hill, connecting their local experience to these broader national patterns is key to establishing a strong case for accountability against powerful institutions.
Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy
The path to justice in a hazing case demands meticulous attention to evidence, a thorough understanding of potential damages, and a precise legal strategy. For families in Cedar Hill, navigating this complex process requires experienced legal guidance.
7.1 Evidence
In today’s digital world, evidence in hazing cases often lives on phones and in the cloud. Critical categories of evidence that our firm pursues include:
- Digital Communications: These are often the lifeblood of a hazing case. We gather evidence from GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage, Discord, Slack, and other fraternity/sorority apps. This also includes Instagram DMs, Snapchat messages, and TikTok comments. We look for both active messages and, critically, deleted messages that digital forensics experts can often recover. These communications can reveal planning, intent, specific instructions, and cover-up attempts. Attorney911’s video on using your phone to document evidence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) offers valuable tips on preserving this vital proof.
- Photos & Videos: This includes content filmed by members during hazing events, which is often shared in group chats or on social media. We also seek security camera footage or Ring/doorbell camera recordings from houses and venues where hazing occurred. These visual proofs can be undeniable.
- Internal Organization Documents: We work to obtain pledge manuals, initiation scripts, lists of “traditions,” and emails or texts from officers. National anti-hazing policies and training materials are also crucial for showing what the organization claimed to prohibit versus what it allowed to happen.
- University Records: Through robust discovery processes, we can uncover a university’s prior conduct files, records of probation or suspensions, warning letters issued to an organization, and incident reports submitted to campus police or student conduct offices. Clery Act reports and similar disclosures can reveal patterns of misconduct that the university was aware of.
- Medical and Psychological Records: This documentation is essential for proving the extent of harm. This includes emergency room records, hospitalization notes, surgery and rehabilitation reports, and toxicology reports (for alcohol/drug-related hazing). Psychological evaluations for PTSD, depression, anxiety, or suicidality are also critical for demonstrating non-physical harms.
- Witness Testimony: Eyewitness accounts from other pledges, current or former members, roommates, Resident Advisors (RAs), coaches, and trainers are invaluable. Even bystanders can offer crucial insights into the atmosphere and events. Former members who quit or were expelled can be particularly powerful witnesses.
7.2 Damages
When hazing leads to injury or death, the financial and emotional toll on victims and families can be immense. Our legal system allows for the recovery of various types of damages to compensate for these losses:
- Medical Bills & Future Care: This covers all costs related to physical injuries, from immediate emergency room visits and hospitalization to surgeries, ongoing treatments, physical therapy, and necessary medications. For severe injuries like brain damage or organ damage, it can include the long-term or even lifelong care needed.
- Lost Earnings / Educational Impact: This compensates for missed semesters, tuition expenses during periods of withdrawal, and the delayed entry into the workforce. For permanent injuries, it can include the long-term reduction in earning capacity, calculated by expert economists.
- Non-Economic Damages: These subjective, but powerful, damages address the profound impact on a victim’s life. They include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, trauma, humiliation, and the loss of enjoyment of life. This can also encompass the development of severe mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
- Wrongful Death Damages (for families): In the most tragic cases, families of students who die from hazing can recover for funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support the deceased would have provided, and the profound loss of companionship, love, and support. This also includes compensation for the tremendous grief and emotional suffering experienced by parents and siblings. Our firm has extensive wrongful death experience (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/), having recovered millions for families in catastrophic cases.
It’s important to understand that we are describing the types of damages generally available and not promising or predicting specific dollar amounts, as every case’s value is unique to its facts.
7.3 Role of Different Defendants and Insurance Coverage
A key aspect of hazing litigation involves identifying all potential defendants and navigating their insurance coverage.
- National fraternities, local chapters, and universities often hold various insurance policies designed to cover liability for such incidents.
- However, insurers frequently attempt to deny coverage by arguing that hazing constitutes “intentional acts” or falls under specific exclusions in their policies.
- An experienced hazing attorney knows how to challenge these arguments, to identify all potential sources of insurance coverage, and to vigorously pursue the full extent of available benefits. Lupe Peña’s background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is particularly crucial here, providing insider knowledge on how to navigate these complex coverage disputes and settlement strategies. This often involves arguing that even if the hazing itself was intentional, the institution’s negligent supervision or failure to enforce policies led to the harm, which can be covered by insurance.
Practical Guides & FAQs
For Cedar Hill parents, students, and witnesses, having clear, actionable guidance is paramount. Hazing situations are often confusing and terrifying, and knowing what to do step-by-step can make a critical difference.
8.1 For Parents
As a parent, your child’s safety and well-being are your top priority. Here’s what you need to know:
- Warning Signs of Hazing: Be aware of changes beyond typical college adjustment. Look for unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or repeated “accidents” with flimsy excuses. Note sudden exhaustion or extreme sleep deprivation, drastic changes in mood, increased anxiety, or withdrawal from family and old friends. Watch for constant, secretive phone use for group chats and an apparent fear of missing “mandatory” events or disappointing older members.
- How to Talk to Your Child: Approach the conversation calmly and empathetically, using open-ended questions like, “How are things really going with your group?” Emphasize that their safety is always more important than any loyalty to a group. Assure them you will support them no matter what.
- If Your Child is Hurt: Get them immediate medical attention, even if they protest. Document everything meticulously: take clear photos of injuries, screenshot any relevant texts or social media posts, and write down everything they tell you, including names, dates, and locations.
- Dealing with the University: If you engage with university administrators, document every communication. Ask specific questions about prior incidents involving the same organization and what the school did or didn’t do in response. Be aware that the university’s priority may be institutional reputation, not necessarily your child’s legal rights.
- 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 with an experienced hazing attorney.
8.2 For Students / Pledges
You may feel caught between a desire to belong and a sense of growing fear or humiliation. It’s vital to know your rights and options.
- Is This Hazing or Just Tradition? Ask yourself: Am I being coerced? Do I feel unsafe, humiliated, or physically endangered? Am I forced to consume alcohol or endure pain? Is the activity kept secret from the public or administrators? If you answered yes to any of these, it is hazing, regardless of what they call it. The activities described in “Hazing in 2025” (Section 2) are all indicators.
- 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 that “consent” given under peer pressure, a power imbalance, or fear of exclusion is not true voluntary consent. You cannot truly “consent” to criminal acts.
- Exiting and Reporting Safely: You have the legal right to leave any organization at any time. It’s often safest to inform a trusted non-involved adult first. You can send a simple text or email to the chapter president resigning your membership, avoiding any “last meeting” where you might be pressured or intimidated. You can report hazing privately or anonymously through campus channels (Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator, campus police) or the National Anti-Hazing Hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
- Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty: Texas law provides some immunity for individuals who report hazing or call for help in a medical emergency. Many universities also have amnesty policies for those who seek emergency medical assistance for themselves or others, potentially waiving disciplinary action for minor infractions like underage drinking.
8.3 For Former Members / Witnesses
If you were once involved in hazing, or witnessed it, you might carry heavy guilt or fear of repercussions. However, your testimony can be crucial.
- Your Testimony Can Save Lives: Your knowledge and evidence can prevent future harm and hold those responsible accountable. This is a powerful step towards transforming a negative experience into positive change.
- Seeking Legal Advice: If you have concerns about your own legal exposure, you should seek your own legal advice from a qualified attorney who can advise you on your options and protections. Our criminal defense experience (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/criminal-defense-lawyers/) means we can navigate complex situations involving both civil and criminal aspects.
- Cooperation is Powerful: Cooperating with investigations can lead to reduced charges or immunity, especially when your testimony leads to the prosecution of primary offenders.
8.4 Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case
For Cedar Hill families pursuing justice, avoiding common pitfalls is as important as collecting evidence. These mistakes can severely undermine your legal position:
- Letting your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence: Parents, do not let your child delete embarrassing group chats or photos, thinking it protects them. This can look like a cover-up, makes your case nearly impossible to prove, and can even be considered obstruction of justice. Preserve everything immediately, even if it’s uncomfortable.
- Confronting the fraternity/sorority directly: While your instinct might be to confront those responsible, doing so typically results in them immediately getting legal counsel, destroying evidence, coaching witnesses, and preparing their defenses. Document everything first, then call a lawyer.
- Signing university “release” or “resolution” forms: Universities may pressure families to sign waivers or agree to “internal resolution” that promises to handle the matter. This can inadvertently waive your right to sue or result in a settlement far below the true value of your child’s case. Never sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first.
- Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer: While you want public awareness, defense attorneys will screenshot everything. Inconsistencies can hurt credibility, and you might accidentally waive legal privileges. Document privately and let your lawyer guide public messaging.
- Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”: Once you’re considering legal action, any request from the organization to “talk things over” or attend “one last meeting” is a classic pressure tactic. They may intimidate, coerce, or extract statements that hurt your case. All communication must go through your lawyer.
- Waiting “to see how the university handles it”: Universities’ internal processes are not designed to secure maximum compensation for your child. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations can expire. Preserve evidence now; consult a lawyer immediately.
- Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer: Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Your recorded statements can be used against you, and early settlement offers are almost always low-balled. Politely decline and state, “My attorney will contact you.”
Watch Attorney911’s video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
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, but exceptions exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, and Title IX violations. Private universities like SMU and Baylor have fewer immunity protections. Every case depends on its specific facts – contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a case-specific analysis. - “Is hazing a felony in Texas?”
It can be. While basic hazing is a Class B misdemeanor, it becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individual officers can also face misdemeanor 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?”
Generally, in Texas, you have 2 years from the date of injury or death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. However, the “discovery rule” can extend this if the harm or its cause wasn’t immediately known. In cases with cover-ups or fraud, the statute may be tolled (paused). Time is critical—evidence disappears, and witnesses’ memories fade. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. Our video on the statute of limitations can provide more insight: 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 liable based on their sponsorship, control, knowledge, and the foreseeability of hazing activities. Many major hazing cases (like the Pi Delta Psi retreat death) occurred off-campus yet resulted in multi-million-dollar judgments against the organizations. - “Will this be confidential, or will my child’s name be in the news?”
While high-profile cases do attract media attention, most hazing cases settle confidentially before ever going to trial. Our firm prioritizes your family’s privacy and works to secure confidential settlements when possible, ensuring accountability without undue public exposure.
About The Manginello Law Firm + Call to Action
When your family in Cedar Hill faces the devastating impact of hazing, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions—national fraternities, major universities, influential alumni—fight back, and how to effectively challenge them to win. You need the expertise of The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC, operating as Attorney911, the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
We are a Houston-based Texas personal injury firm with deep experience in serious injury, wrongful death, and complex litigation, proudly serving families throughout Texas, including Cedar Hill and its surrounding communities in Ellis County, Dallas County, and North Texas. We understand that hazing at Texas universities impacts families in Cedar Hill and across the entire region—whether their children attend SMU just up the road, Baylor in Waco, or one of the major state schools like UT, Texas A&M, or UH.
Our strength in hazing cases comes from a unique blend of experience:
- Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña): Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer 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 coverage exclusion arguments, and their settlement strategies because she used to be on their side. This insider knowledge is invaluable for cutting through their defenses and ensuring fair compensation. Her complete credentials are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/.
- Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello): Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has a proven track record of taking on formidable defendants. He was one of the few Texas attorneys involved in litigation stemming from the BP Texas City explosion, demonstrating his ability to fight against billion-dollar corporations. This federal court experience means we are not intimidated by national fraternities, universities, or their well-funded defense teams. We know how to prepare a case that forces accountability from powerful defendants. You can learn more about Ralph Manginello’s extensive experience at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/.
- Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience: We don’t settle cheap. We have a proven history of securing multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with leading experts, including economists, to accurately value lifetime care needs for victims with brain injuries or permanent disabilities.
- Dual Criminal and Civil Hazing Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) gives our firm a unique perspective on hazing cases. We understand how criminal hazing charges interact with parallel civil litigation, allowing us to advise witnesses and former members facing dual exposure, securing justice for victims while navigating the complexities of the legal system.
- Investigative Depth: We investigate hazing cases like lives depend on it. We leverage a network of medical professionals, digital forensics experts, and psychologists to uncover critical evidence. This includes obtaining deleted group chats and social media evidence, subpoenaing national fraternity records, and uncovering university files through aggressive discovery tactics and public records requests.
At The Manginello Law Firm, we understand that 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 approach every case with empathy, thoroughly investigating every detail to build a compelling case for real accountability.
Call to Action
If you or your child experienced hazing at any Texas campus—whether it be SMU, Baylor, or one of the state’s larger universities—we want to hear from you. Families in Cedar Hill and throughout Ellis County, Dallas County, and the broader North Texas 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 without judgment, explain your legal options clearly, and help you decide on the best path forward for your family. We understand that cost is a concern, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis; simply put, we don’t get paid unless we win your case. You can learn more about how contingency fees work in our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc.
Here’s what you can expect during your free consultation:
- We will listen to your story empathetically and without judgment.
- We will review any evidence you have, such as photos, texts, or medical records.
- We will explain your legal options, whether that involves a criminal report, a civil lawsuit, both, or simply taking steps to protect your child.
- We will discuss realistic timelines and what to expect throughout the legal process.
- We will answer your questions about the costs associated with litigation, reinforcing our contingency fee structure.
- There’s no pressure to hire us on the spot; we encourage you to take the time you need to decide.
- Everything you tell us is completely confidential.
You don’t have to face the aftermath of hazing 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 – Contact Lupe Peña directly at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.
Whether you’re in Cedar Hill or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Let Attorney911 be your Legal Emergency Lawyers™.
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