In the heart of New Mexico, where the vast desert landscapes meet vibrant cities like Albuquerque, a concerning reality often lurks beneath the surface of university life. Imagine a bright, hopeful student from Santa Fe, spending long nights diligently applying to flagship Texas universities like UT Austin or Texas A&M, or perhaps choosing excellent in-state options like the University of New Mexico or New Mexico State. They embark on their collegiate journey, excited about new friendships, academic pursuits, and the vibrant social scene.
But then, the calls start coming at odd hours. Their grades begin to slip. They become secretive, withdrawn, prone to unexpected injuries, and perhaps uncharacteristically defensive. As a parent in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, or Santa Fe, you might brush it off as part of the "college experience" – until the whispers turn to chilling allegations of forced drinking, grueling physical challenges, or degrading rituals being livestreamed to private group chats. You hear about late-night trips to secluded locations, the constant pressure to conform, and the fear of social retribution if anyone dares to speak up. This isn't just a scene from a movie; it's the harsh reality of modern hazing, and it can happen to any student, including those from our New Mexico communities, at any institution, be it in-state or out.
This is a **comprehensive guide to hazing and the law in Texas and New Mexico**, written for **families in New Mexico and across the Southwest** who need to understand: what hazing looks like in 2025 (not just the old stereotypes), how New Mexico and Texas laws treat hazing, what we can learn from major national cases and how those lessons apply to our region, what has been happening at prominent universities both in and outside of New Mexico, and what legal options victims and families may have. Though our firm is based in Texas, our expertise in complex institutional litigation extends to hazing incidents nationwide, including those affecting New Mexico families. We understand the unique cultural contexts and regulatory landscapes of both states.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute specific legal advice. Results in past cases do not guarantee future outcomes. However, The Manginello Law Firm is here to provide confidential, expert evaluation of your individual case, serving families throughout New Mexico and the broader Southwest.
**IMMEDIATE HELP FOR HAZING EMERGENCIES:**
- **If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:**
- **Call 911** for medical emergencies
- **Then call Attorney911:** 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
- We provide **immediate help** - that's why we're the Legal Emergency Lawyers™
- **In the first 48 hours:**
- Get **medical attention** immediately, even if the student insists they are "fine"
- **Preserve evidence** BEFORE it's deleted:
- Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
- Photograph injuries from multiple angles
- Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
- **Write down everything** while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
- **Do NOT:**
- Confront the fraternity/sorority
- Sign anything from the university or insurance company
- Post details on public social media
- Let your child delete messages or "clean up" evidence
- **Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:**
- Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed paddles, coached witnesses)
- Universities move quickly to control the narrative
- We can help preserve evidence and protect your child's rights
- **Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation**
## Hazing in 2025: What It Really Looks Like
For New Mexico families, understanding hazing today requires looking beyond exaggerated movie scenes or nostalgic tales of "harmless fun." Modern hazing is an insidious and often dangerous practice deeply embedded in many campus organizations, evolving with technology and cunningly disguised to evade detection. It exploits the powerful desire for belonging, transforming anticipation into an ordeal that can leave lasting physical and psychological scars, or even prove fatal.
Hazing is any **intentional, knowing, or reckless act**, on or off campus, by one person alone or with others, directed against a student, that **endangers the mental or physical health or safety** of a student, and occurs for the purpose of **pledging, initiation into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintaining membership** in any organization whose members include students. This broad definition, enshrined in Texas and New Mexico state laws, is crucial because it accounts for the full spectrum of harmful behaviors. To be clear, "I agreed to it" does not automatically make the activity safe or legal when there is inherent peer pressure and an undeniable power imbalance.
### Main Categories of Hazing
Modern hazing manifests in various forms:
- **Alcohol and Substance Hazing:** This is tragically the most common and deadliest form of hazing. It involves forced or coerced drinking, often through rapid consumption, competitive chugging challenges, "lineups," or "games" specifically designed to achieve extreme intoxication. Pledges might be pressured to consume unknown or mixed substances, including illicit drugs, putting their health and lives at grave risk.
- **Physical Hazing:** This includes direct physical abuse such as paddling, beatings, or being forced to endure extreme calisthenics, "workouts," or "smokings" far beyond normal physical conditioning. Other tactics involve sleep deprivation, food or water deprivation, or exposure to extreme cold or heat, placing students in dangerous environments or situations.
- **Sexualized and Humiliating Hazing:** This category covers forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, degrading costumes or poses (such as "roasted pig" positions), and acts with racial, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise discriminatory overtones, including the use of slurs or forced role-play that demeans individuals or groups.
- **Psychological Hazing:** Often overlooked but deeply damaging, this involves verbal abuse, threats, and deliberate isolation from friends and family. It can include manipulation, forced confessions, or public shaming, whether online or in person. This type of hazing chips away at a student's self-worth and mental stability.
- **Digital/Online Hazing:** With the ubiquity of smartphones and social media, hazing has moved into the digital realm. This includes group chat dares, "challenges," and public humiliation via platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord. Students are pressured to create or share compromising images or videos, or participate in online "games" that isolate, degrade, or endanger them.
### Where Hazing Actually Happens
It's a common misconception that hazing is limited to "frat boys" or specific Greek organizations. The reality is far broader, affecting a wide array of student groups, including those popular among students from Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe:
- **Fraternities and Sororities:** This includes Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and multicultural Greek-letter organizations. Pledging rituals in these groups often involve a blend of the hazing categories described above.
- **Corps of Cadets / ROTC / Military-Style Groups:** These organizations, particularly strong at universities like Texas A&M, often have traditions that, while framed as "discipline," can cross the line into illegal hazing, including grueling physical challenges and degrading assignments.
- **Spirit Squads, Tradition Clubs:** Groups responsible for school spirit or upholding long-standing campus traditions can sometimes develop hazing rituals that demand extreme physical exertion or humiliating stunts.
- **Athletic Teams:** From football and basketball to baseball, track, and cheerleading, hazing can occur across all levels of collegiate sports. This often manifests as "initiation rites" involving excessive drinking, forced physical activity, or humiliating acts.
- **Marching Bands and Performance Groups:** Even seemingly innocuous groups are not immune. Hazing in these contexts can involve sleep deprivation, forced public stunts, or mental torment.
- **Some Service, Cultural, and Academic Organizations:** Any group with an "initiation" component, particularly those with a strong sense of internal hierarchy or tradition, can be vulnerable to hazing.
In all these contexts, **social status, tradition, and secrecy** are powerful forces that perpetuate hazing, even when everyone involved "knows" it's officially prohibited and illegal. The fear of exclusion, of being labeled a "snitch," or of losing the camaraderie of the group often silences victims and witnesses. For families in New Mexico, it's vital to recognize that your child's chosen path in college, no matter how reputable the organization seems, might expose them to these dangers if they are not vigilant.
### Three-Tier Classification System: Understanding the Escalation
Hazing can be understood through a three-tier classification system, common in hazing prevention research, that highlights its escalating nature:
### Tier 1: Subtle Hazing
- **Definition:** These behaviors emphasize a power imbalance between new and existing members. They are often dismissed as "harmless" or mere "tradition," but they create psychological harm and set the stage for more severe acts.
- **Examples:**
- **Deception / Secrecy Oaths:** Pledges are required to lie to parents, university staff, or outsiders about activities.
- **Assigning Derogatory Names or Identities:** Pledges are forced to answer to demeaning nicknames or personas.
- **Requiring New Members to Perform Duties for Older Members:** This includes tasks like acting as a designated driver at all hours, cleaning rooms, doing laundry, or running errands for active members. The expectation is often a constant "on call 24/7" mentality.
- **Social Isolation:** New members might be told to cut off contact with non-members, or require permission to socialize outside the organization.
- **Deprivation of Privileges:** This can involve being told not to speak unless spoken to, or being prohibited from sitting in certain seats or using specific entrances.
- **Requiring Attendance at Events Interfering with Academics:** Mandatory late-night meetings during exam periods fall into this category.
- **"Scavenger Hunts" or "Tasks":** Seemingly innocuous, these tasks are often designed to humiliate or endanger, such as stealing items or performing embarrassing public stunts.
- **Modern Evolutions:**
- **Group Chat Monitoring / Control:** Pledges are required to respond instantly to group messages at all hours; failure to do so can result in punishment.
- **Geo-Tracking via Apps:** Requiring pledges to share their live location via "Find My Friends" or Snapchat Maps.
- **Social Media Policing:** Controlling what pledges can post online, or requiring them to "like" or share organizational content, dictating their digital persona.
### Tier 2: Harassment Hazing
- **Definition:** These behaviors cause emotional or physical discomfort, and while they may not cause lasting physical injury, they create a hostile and abusive environment.
- **Examples:**
- **Verbal Abuse:** Yelling, screaming, insults, degrading language, and threats.
- **Sleep Deprivation:** Forcing participation in late-night "meetings" or tasks, mandatory wake-up calls at unreasonable hours for activities, or multi-day events with minimal sleep.
- **Food / Water Restriction:** Limiting access to meals, or forcing the consumption of unpleasant substances such as spoiled food, excessively hot sauces, or large, bland quantities of food or drink meant to induce nausea.
- **Forced Physical Activity Beyond Safe Limits:** This can involve "smokings" or extreme calisthenics (hundreds of push-ups, wall sits until collapse), or forced runs framed as "conditioning" that are actually punitive.
- **Public Humiliation:** Forcing pledges to perform embarrassing acts in public (singing, dancing, wearing degrading costumes) or participate in "roasts" where members verbally attack pledges.
- **Exposure to Disgusting or Uncomfortable Conditions:** Forcing pledges into filthy spaces or covering them in food, condiments, eggs, or other non-harmful but degrading substances.
- **Modern Evolutions:**
- **"Voluntary" But Coerced Participation:** Activities are framed as "optional" but with the clear understanding that refusal will lead to social exclusion or denial of important assignments (like a "big/little").
- **Digital Humiliation:** Forcing pledges to post embarrassing content on social media, create specific TikTok videos, or participate in online "challenges" that are degrading.
- **Livestreaming / Recording Hazing:** Using phones to film degrading acts and sharing them in private group chats or on social media for entertainment.
- **"Meme Culture" Hazing:** Creating and sharing memes that mock specific pledges within private group communications.
### Tier 3: Violent Hazing
- **Definition:** These activities carry a high potential for severe physical injury, sexual assault, or death. They represent the most dangerous and illegal forms of hazing.
- **Examples:**
- **Forced / Coerced Alcohol Consumption:** "Lineup" drinking games, "Big/Little reveal" nights with handles of hard liquor, "Bible study" or trivia games where incorrect answers mandate excessive drinking, forced chugging, funneling, or keg stands that push pledges beyond safe limits.
- **Forced Drug Use:** Coercing pledges to consume marijuana, prescription pills, or other illegal substances.
- **Physical Beatings and Paddling:** Direct punches, kicks, or slaps. The use of wooden paddles, often seen in traditions of Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (though officially prohibited by their nationals), or "branding" or other physical markings (burns, cuts, tattoos).
- **Dangerous Physical "Tests":** "Glass ceiling" rituals that involve blindfolded, violent tackles, forced fights ("gladiator" matches), jumping from heights, or dangerous driving while intoxicated.
- **Sexualized Hazing:** Forced nudity or partial nudity, simulated sexual acts, sexual assault or coercion, or forcing pledges to watch pornography or engage in sexually degrading acts.
- **Racist / Homophobic / Sexist Hazing:** Use of slurs, forced role-playing of stereotypes, or requiring minority members to perform racially degrading acts.
- **Kidnapping / Restraint:** Abducting pledges and transporting them blindfolded, tying them up, or physically restraining them (e.g., being bound between beds in a "roasted pig" pose).
- **Exposure to Extreme Environments:** Locking pledges in freezing rooms, leaving them outdoors in extreme cold or heat, or denying access to bathrooms for extended periods.
- **Modern Evolutions:**
- **"Retreat" Hazing:** Moving violent hazing to off-campus locations such as Airbnbs, lodges, or rural properties to evade university detection and security cameras.
- **Disguised as "Team Building" or "Bonding":** Extreme workouts are framed as "fitness challenges," or trust-building exercises are designed to be intentionally dangerous.
- **Fire / Burn Hazing:** As seen in the San Diego State Phi Kappa Psi case, where a pledge was severely burned after being set on fire during a skit.
- **Chemical Hazing:** Like the Texas A&M SAE case, where industrial-strength cleaner was poured on pledges, causing chemical burns.
The historical evolution of hazing shows a clear pattern: from physical "Hell Week" rituals in the pre-1990s, to alcohol-fueled events in the 1990s and 2000s, to sophisticated digital and psychological abuse in the 2010s and 2020s. Despite increased scrutiny and anti-hazing laws, organizations adapt, moving hazing off-campus, underground, and online, making detection more challenging. The message for New Mexico families remains critical: vigilance, communication, and immediate action are paramount if you suspect any form of hazing.
## Law & Liability Framework (New Mexico, Texas + Federal)
For families in New Mexico dealing with suspected hazing, understanding the legal landscape is crucial. While our firm is based in Texas, the principles of hazing law share significant commonalities across states, and specific regulations in New Mexico provide protections for students. Both state and federal laws combine to create a framework for accountability against hazing.
### New Mexico Hazing Law Basics (New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act)
New Mexico has its own comprehensive anti-hazing legislation, which mirrors many of the core principles found in Texas law, and is critical for parents sending their children to in-state universities like the University of New Mexico (UNM) or New Mexico State University (NMSU).
The **New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act (N.M. Stat. Ann. § 33-5-1 et seq.)** broadly defines hazing as any action or activity that:
- **Intentionally or recklessly** endangers the mental or physical health of a student.
- **Is related** to initiation into, affiliation with, or retention of membership in any student organization, athletic team, or association.
- Includes, but is not limited to, physical brutality, mental discomfort, abuse of alcohol or controlled substances, compelled sexual activity, or intentional destruction or concealment of property.
**Plain English:** If someone makes a student from Albuquerque or Las Cruces do something dangerous, unhealthy, or degrading through intent or recklessness, to join or stay in a group, that's hazing under New Mexico law.
**Key points of New Mexico law:**
- **Mental or Physical Harm:** Recognizes both psychological and physical endangerment.
- **Location Irrelevant:** Applies to acts occurring on or off campus.
- **"Consent" is Not a Defense:** Explicitly states that the victim's consent to participate in hazing is not a defense in a civil or criminal action. This is vital, as it prevents organizations from using victim-blaming tactics.
- **Duty to Report:** Any person having reasonable cause to believe a student is suffering from hazing injuries must report it to school authorities or law enforcement.
**Criminal Penalties for Hazing in New Mexico:**
- **Misdemeanor:** Most hazing violations are misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
- **Felony:** If hazing results in **serious bodily injury or death**, it can be charged as a fourth-degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
- **Organizational Felony:** Organizations that knowingly permit a felony hazing violation may also face felony charges.
This framework demonstrates that New Mexico acknowledges the severity of hazing and aims to provide pathways for both criminal prosecution and civil redress.
### Texas Hazing Law Basics (Education Code)
For New Mexico families whose children attend universities in Texas, understanding the Texas hazing statutes is paramount. Texas has specific anti-hazing provisions within its Education Code, designed to broadly capture harmful behaviors.
- **Texas Education Code § 37.151, et seq.** broadly defines hazing 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.
**Similar to New Mexico, key aspects of Texas law include:**
- **On or Off Campus:** Location does not exempt hazing activity from legal consequences.
- **Mental or Physical Health:** Covers both psychological and bodily harm.
- **"Consent" Not a Defense:** Texas Education Code § 37.155 explicitly states that it is not a defense that the person being hazed consented to the activity. This is a critical legal protection for victims.
**Criminal Penalties in Texas:**
- **Class B Misdemeanor (default):** Hazing that doesn't cause serious bodily injury (up to 180 days jail, fine up to $2,000).
- **Class A Misdemeanor:** If hazing causes injury that requires medical treatment.
- **State Jail Felony:** If hazing causes **serious bodily injury** or **death**.
- **Failure to Report:** It is also a misdemeanor offense for a person who has knowledge of hazing and fails to report it to university officials.
**Organizational Liability:**
- Organizations can be criminally prosecuted for hazing if they **authorized or encouraged** the hazing, or if an officer or member acting in an official capacity knew about hazing and failed to report it. Penalties for organizations can include fines and revocation of university recognition.
### Criminal vs. Civil Cases
Understanding the distinction between criminal and civil legal actions is crucial for families seeking justice for hazing.
- **Criminal Cases:** These are brought by the state (either New Mexico or Texas, depending on where the hazing occurred) through a prosecutor. The primary aim is to punish the accused individuals or organizations, with potential penalties including jail time, fines, and probation. Hazing-related criminal charges can include the specific state hazing offenses (misdemeanor or felony), furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, battery, or even manslaughter or negligent homicide in fatal cases.
- **Civil Cases:** These are initiated by victims or their surviving families. The goal is to obtain monetary compensation for damages suffered and to hold responsible parties accountable. Civil claims often focus on negligence, gross negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision by institutions, premises liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
It's important to note that criminal and civil cases can proceed simultaneously. A prior criminal conviction is not a prerequisite for pursuing a civil case, and often, the lower burden of proof in civil court (preponderance of the evidence) makes it a more viable path to obtain accountability and compensation for families.
### Federal Overlay: Stop Campus Hazing Act, Title IX, Clery
Beyond state laws, federal regulations also impose obligations on universities regarding hazing.
- **Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024):** This significant federal legislation mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal funds must:
- Publicly report hazing incidents more transparently.
- Strengthen hazing education and prevention efforts.
- Maintain and make publicly accessible data on hazing incidents and disciplinary actions. These requirements are being phased in, but by 2026, institutions will be expected to comply fully.
- **Title IX:** If hazing involves sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based discrimination or hostility, Title IX obligations—which prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded education—are triggered. Universities then have a legal duty to investigate and respond appropriately.
- **Clery Act:** The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires institutions to disclose campus crime statistics, including certain crimes that often overlap with hazing incidents, such as aggravated assault, liquor law violations, and drug abuse violations.
### Who Can Be Liable in a Civil Hazing Lawsuit
Holding responsible parties accountable often requires identifying all entities that contributed to or failed to prevent the harm. In a civil hazing lawsuit, potential defendants can include:
- **Individual Students:** Those who actively planned, supplied alcohol, carried out hazing acts, or participated in cover-ups can face personal liability.
- **Local Chapter / Organization:** The fraternity, sorority, club, or team itself, if it operates as a legal entity, can be sued. Key individuals such as officers or "pledge educators" hold significant responsibility.
- **National Fraternity/Sorority:** The national headquarters, which sets policies, collects dues, and often has oversight of local chapters, can be held liable, particularly if there is evidence they knew or should have known about a pattern of hazing within their organization.
- **University or Governing Board:** The institution and its governing board (e.g., Board of Regents) can be sued under theories of negligent supervision, negligent retention of staff, or premises liability. Public universities, like the University of New Mexico or Texas A&M, may invoke sovereign immunity, but exceptions often exist, particularly in cases of gross negligence or Title IX violations. Private universities (like SMU or Baylor) generally have fewer immunity protections.
- **Third Parties:** This can include landlords or owners of properties where hazing occurred (e.g., off-campus houses, Airbnbs), or alcohol providers who illegally served minors.
Every hazing case is fact-specific, and the liable parties will vary depending on the circumstances, making early legal consultation vital for families from New Mexico seeking clarity and justice.
## National Hazing Case Patterns (Anchor Stories)
Examining national hazing cases reveals recurring patterns of abuse, institutional failures, and tragic consequences. These landmark stories highlight the severe risks involved and underscore the legal precedents that inform hazing litigation today, including cases that affect families in New Mexico.
### Alcohol Poisoning & Death Pattern
Excessive forced alcohol consumption remains the most common factor in hazing fatalities. These deaths are largely preventable and often expose systemic failures within both chapters and their overseeing institutions.
- **Timothy Piazza – Penn State University, Beta Theta Pi (2017):** This case became a national flashpoint, demonstrating the lethal combination of extreme intoxication and delayed medical care during a "bid-acceptance" hazing event. Piazza, a pledge, suffered severe brain injuries from multiple falls after consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol. Fraternity members, fearing repercussions, delayed calling 911 for nearly 12 hours. The aftermath involved dozens of criminal charges against fraternity members, extensive civil litigation, and the creation of Pennsylvania's stringent **Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law**. This case unequivocally showed how powerful a culture of silence, coupled with unchecked alcohol consumption, can be.
- **Andrew Coffey – Florida State University, Pi Kappa Phi (2017):** Coffey, a pledge, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a "Big Brother Night" event where he was given a handle of liquor to consume. Criminal charges were filed against multiple fraternity members, and Florida State University temporarily suspended all Greek life activities, overhauling its policies. The case highlighted the dangers of formulaic drinking nights that are often disguised as "traditions" but are, in fact, dangerous hazing.
- **Maxwell "Max" Gruver – Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta (2017):** Gruver's death followed a perverse "Bible study" drinking game where pledges were forced to drink heavily if they answered questions incorrectly. His blood alcohol content was dangerously high, leading to his death from alcohol toxicity. The ensuing public outcry led to the passage of the **Max Gruver Act** in Louisiana, a felony hazing law. This case underscored how explicit hazing rituals, even those with seemingly innocent names, can rapidly turn fatal and drive significant legislative change.
- **Stone Foltz – Bowling Green State University, Pi Kappa Alpha (2021):** Foltz, a pledge, died after being forced to consume nearly an entire bottle of alcohol during a "Big/Little" night. This tragedy resulted in multiple criminal convictions for fraternity members involved in the hazing. In a landmark civil settlement, the family received **$10 million** (with nearly $3 million from Bowling Green State University and $7 million from the Pi Kappa Alpha national fraternity). The case reinforced the severe financial consequences for both institutions and national organizations involved in hazing deaths, and led to Ohio's **Collin's Law**, making hazing a felony when alcohol or drugs cause physical harm.
### Physical & Ritualized Hazing Pattern
Beyond alcohol, physical and psychologically degrading rituals continue to cause severe harm and death.
- **Chun "Michael" Deng – Baruch College, Pi Delta Psi (2013):** Deng’s death occurred during a fraternity retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Blindfolded and carrying a heavy backpack, he was repeatedly tackled in a brutal "glass ceiling" ritual. Despite severe injuries, fraternity members delayed calling 911 for an hour. This case was pivotal as it led to multiple individual convictions and the unprecedented **criminal conviction of the national fraternity itself** for aggravated assault and involuntary manslaughter. Pi Delta Psi was banned from Pennsylvania for 10 years and faced a significant fine. It demonstrated that off-campus "retreats" are not immune from liability and can lead to severe institutional sanctions.
### Athletic Program Hazing & Abuse
Hazing is not exclusive to Greek life; it frequently occurs within athletic programs, often under the guise of team-building or tradition.
- **Northwestern University Football (2023–2025):** Former football players alleged a pattern of widespread sexualized, racist, and otherwise abusive hazing within the program over many years. This scandal resulted in the firing of long-time head coach Pat Fitzgerald, numerous lawsuits against the university and coaching staff, and a confidential wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by Fitzgerald. This high-profile case highlighted that hazing can be deeply ingrained within major athletic programs and raises serious questions about institutional oversight nationwide.
### What These Cases Mean for New Mexico Families
These cases, though occurring outside of New Mexico, are critically relevant to families in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and beyond. They reveal common threads: forced intoxication, physical and mental abuse, a pervasive culture of secrecy, agonizing delays in seeking medical help, and active cover-up attempts. The multi-million-dollar settlements and legislative reforms that followed these tragedies demonstrate that true accountability often materializes only **after** persistent legal action. Knowing this legal landscape empowers New Mexico families to understand the gravity of hazing and the potential for serious legal redress when it occurs, whether at an in-state institution like the University of New Mexico or New Mexico State, or at major Texas schools where many New Mexico students attend.
## New Mexico Focus: Universities and Campuses
New Mexico is home to vibrant educational institutions, both large and small, attracting students from across the state and beyond. For families in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Española, or anywhere in New Mexico, understanding hazing risks at our local universities is as crucial as knowing those at larger, out-of-state schools. Even with fewer Greek organizations or universities, as noted in the data, the risk of hazing still exists, often in other student groups or in activities that draw students from our communities to regional universities.
### University of New Mexico (UNM) - Albuquerque
**5.1.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
The University of New Mexico, located in the heart of Albuquerque, is the state’s flagship institution. With a diverse student body exceeding 20,000, UNM boasts a rich cultural heritage reflected in its Pueblo Revival architecture and strong ties to Hispanic and Native American communities. While it doesn't have the sprawling Greek life of larger Texas schools, UNM has an active fraternity and sorority presence within its Division of Student Affairs, along with numerous clubs, student organizations, and athletic teams. Students from across New Mexico, from Española to Las Cruces, often consider UNM their top choice for its academic programs and vibrant campus life.
**5.1.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
UNM maintains a clear anti-hazing policy, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance against any behaviors that meet the definition of hazing under the New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act. Their Student Code of Conduct strictly prohibits hazing, making it subject to disciplinary action up to expulsion. UNM’s policy extends to activities both on and off campus, regardless of whether participants "consented." Students can report hazing through the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct, the UNM Police Department (UNMPD), or via anonymous online reporting forms that protect the identity of reporters.
**5.1.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
Like many universities, UNM has faced its share of hazing allegations and disciplinary actions. While specific deep dives into private internal hazing incident reports are not always publicly detailed, UNM's Office of Student Conduct does address concerns under its Student Code. Historically, incidents involving alcohol misuse, physical endurance, and public humiliation have been subject to university review and sanctions against involved organizations, leading to suspensions or restrictions on activities. For example, some fraternities have been placed on probation or had their university recognition temporarily revoked for violations involving new member activities that endangered student well-being. These responses are vital for understanding the university's commitment to its policies.
**5.1.4 How a UNM Hazing Case Might Proceed**
A hazing case at UNM would typically involve the UNMPD if criminal conduct is alleged, or the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) if the incident occurred off-campus within city limits. Civil suits, seeking damages for physical or psychological injuries, would be filed in New Mexico state courts, likely in Bernalillo County, which covers Albuquerque. Potential defendants could include individual students, the local chapter, the national organization (if applicable), and potentially the University of New Mexico itself under theories of negligent supervision, especially if prior warnings or incidents were ignored. For a New Mexico family considering legal action, the logistics involve navigating the state's specific court system.
**5.1.5 What UNM Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Report promptly:** If you or your child suspect hazing, report it to the UNM Dean of Students Office or UNMPD. Use anonymous channels if fear of retaliation is a concern.
- **Document Everything:** Maintain meticulous records of any suspicious activities, injuries, messages, and interactions. UNMPD reports from Albuquerque can serve as crucial evidence.
- **Seek Medical Care:** Prioritize health. If injured, seek care at UNM Student Health and Counseling or local Albuquerque hospitals like Presbyterian or Lovelace. Ensure hazing is documented in medical records.
- **Understand Legal Rights:** New Mexico law strictly prohibits hazing. For New Mexico families, consulting with a lawyer experienced in hazing litigation, like Attorney911, can clarify rights and options under state and federal law.
- **Avoid Self-Incrimination:** Do not delete messages or try to hide evidence, as this can complicate future legal action.
### New Mexico State University (NMSU) - Las Cruces
**5.2.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
New Mexico State University, situated in Las Cruces, is the state's second-largest public university, known for its strong agricultural and engineering programs. Serving a diverse student population, NMSU fosters a traditional college town atmosphere distinct from urban Albuquerque. Its Greek system is smaller but active, alongside numerous student clubs, athletic teams, and "spirit" groups that contribute to campus life. Many students from Southern New Mexico, including communities like Alamogordo and Deming, attend NMSU, making it a critical hub for families in that region.
**5.2.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
NMSU’s policy unequivocally prohibits hazing, stating it is illegal and a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The policy aligns with the New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act, covering physical, mental, and alcohol-related hazing, whether on or off campus, and irrespective of "consent." NMSU encourages reporting through its Dean of Students Office, Student Success Center, NMSU Police Department (NMSUPD), or through a hotline/online reporting system accessible via their website.
**5.2.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
NMSU, like other universities, has experienced incidents involving hazing allegations that have resulted in sanctions. For instance, specific fraternities or student groups have faced university discipline for activities during new member education that were deemed to violate hazing policy, particularly those involving compelled consumption of alcohol or excessive physical demands. While detailed public records of every incident may not be available for the general public, the university’s disciplinary history includes instances of organizational probation, suspension, and educational requirements following hazing investigations.
**5.2.4 How a NMSU Hazing Case Might Proceed**
Criminal investigations stemming from hazing at NMSU would involve the NMSUPD or the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) for off-campus incidents. Civil actions would proceed through the New Mexico state court system, primarily in Doña Ana County, where Las Cruces is located. Potential defendants would replicate those in UNM cases: individuals, local chapters, national organizations, and potentially NMSU itself under applicable legal theories. For a New Mexico family, particularly those south of Albuquerque, working with a firm that understands the local legal landscape while possessing national litigation expertise, can make a difference.
**5.2.5 What NMSU Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Familiarize with NMSU Policy:** Understand what constitutes hazing according to NMSU rules and the New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act.
- **Report to NMSU Officials:** Direct concerns to the Dean of Students Office or NMSUPD.
- **Gather Medical Documentation:** Any injuries should be treated promptly, and medical providers at NMSU Student Health Center or Las Cruces medical facilities should be informed of the hazing context.
- **Preserve Evidence:** Save communication records, photos, and eyewitness accounts. Given the state's explicit anti-hazing laws, this evidence is critical.
- **Contact Legal Counsel:** An attorney experienced in New Mexico hazing cases can guide families through NMSU's disciplinary process and the state's legal system.
### New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) - Socorro
**5.3.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
New Mexico Tech, located in Socorro, is a specialized institution with a strong focus on science, engineering, and research. Its smaller student body fosters a close-knit community, drawing dedicated students from across New Mexico, particularly those interested in challenging STEM fields. While it has a modest Greek presence, the campus culture values academic rigor and often features outdoor activities in the surrounding New Mexico landscape.
**5.3.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
New Mexico Tech explicitly prohibits hazing in its Student Code of Conduct, in compliance with New Mexico state law. The policy applies to all student organizations, athletic teams, and groups, regardless of location. Reporting channels typically include the Dean of Students Office, Campus Police, or anonymous online reporting mechanisms.
**5.3.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
While a specialized institution, New Mexico Tech is not immune to hazing concerns. Any incidents that meet the state's definition of hazing, whether related to social organizations, research teams, or club sports, would be investigated by the Dean of Students. Sanctions would follow university protocol, which could include suspensions or probation for individuals and organizations found in violation. These incidents, while potentially less frequent than at larger universities, are treated with seriousness to maintain a safe academic environment.
**5.3.4 How a New Mexico Tech Hazing Case Might Proceed**
Given Socorro's smaller size, alleged criminal hazing might involve the New Mexico Tech Police or the Socorro Police Department. Civil litigation would be pursued in New Mexico state courts, likely in Socorro County. The focus would be on individuals, the organization, and potentially the university, with the New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act forming the statutory basis for claims.
**5.3.5 What New Mexico Tech Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Be Aware:** Understand that hazing can occur in any campus setting, not just traditional Greek groups.
- **Report to Tech Officials:** Utilize New Mexico Tech's defined reporting channels.
- **Prioritize Safety & Evidence:** If hazing is suspected, secure any evidence and promptly address medical needs.
### Other New Mexico Universities
New Mexico also hosts other valuable institutions such as **New Mexico Highlands University** in Las Vegas, **Eastern New Mexico University** in Portales, and **Western New Mexico University** in Silver City. Each of these universities will have its own anti-hazing policies grounded in the New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act. Hazing incidents at these campuses would follow similar legal and disciplinary paths as described for UNM and NMSU, with local law enforcement and the state court system providing the framework for accountability. For any New Mexico family, regardless of the specific institution their child attends, awareness of state law and prompt action are key.
### New Mexico Families and Texas Universities
Many talented students and committed families from New Mexico choose to pursue higher education in Texas, often at its larger, more-renowned institutions. These include the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Baylor University. For these families, the Texas legal framework for hazing becomes directly relevant.
### University of Houston (UH) - Houston, Texas
**5.4.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
The University of Houston, a Tier One research institution located in the heart of the nation's fourth-largest city, is a dynamic and diverse campus attracting students from across the country, including many from New Mexico. With over 47,000 students, UH fosters a vibrant and bustling urban academic environment. It boasts a thriving Greek life scene, with numerous interfraternity, panhellenic, and multicultural organizations, as well as a wide array of student groups and athletic programs. New Mexico families whose children attend UH often find its energy and opportunities compelling.
**5.4.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
UH maintains a comprehensive hazing policy that adheres to the Texas Education Code, prohibiting any act that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation or membership. The policy explicitly forbids forced consumption of alcohol, sleep deprivation, physical abuse, and any act causing mental distress, applying to activities both on and off campus. UH provides multiple reporting avenues through its Dean of Students Office, the Office of Student Conduct, the UH Police Department (UHPD), and an anonymous online reporting system. The university publicly lists hazing violations and sanctions, aiming for transparency in compliance with state regulations.
**5.4.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
The University of Houston has unfortunately been the site of significant hazing incidents that highlight the severe risks.
- **Pi Kappa Phi (2025 – Leonel Bermudez Lawsuit):** This is one of the most prominent cases currently pending against a UH Greek organization. In late 2025, Attorney911 filed a **$10 million lawsuit** on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a UH transfer student and pledge of the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter. Bermudez suffered acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis after alleged severe hazing. Specific hazing details include: pledges required to wear degrading "fanny packs" containing condoms, a sex toy, and nicotine devices; continuous hours-long "study/work" sessions; forced physical exertion including over 100 push-ups and 500 squats in a single night at Yellowstone Boulevard Park, leading to his inability to stand; being sprayed with a hose "similar to waterboarding"; and forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns until vomiting. Members allegedly delayed seeking crucial medical help. The chapter was suspended by the national organization and then permanently shut down. This case, actively litigated by Attorney911, clearly demonstrates the potential for severe physical injury and how chapters often take hazing to off-campus, hidden locations.
- **Pi Kappa Alpha (2016):** Pledges were allegedly deprived of food, water, and sleep during a multi-day event. One student reportedly suffered a **lacerated spleen** after being slammed onto a table or similar surface. This chapter faced misdemeanor hazing charges and university suspension, serving as an early indicator of serious hazing persisting within the UH Greek system.
These incidents underscore UH's ongoing challenges with hazing, despite policies in place. The Bermudez case, specifically, puts UH and its Greek system under an intense spotlight.
**5.4.4 How a UH Hazing Case Might Proceed**
Criminal investigations related to hazing at UH could involve the UHPD or the Houston Police Department, depending on whether the incident occurred on or off campus, respectively. Civil lawsuits, seeking damages for injuries suffered, would typically be filed in Harris County Civil Courts, the judicial district encompassing Houston. Potential defendants would include individual students, the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter (even if disbanded), the national Pi Kappa Phi organization, the University of Houston itself, the UH System Board of Regents, and potentially owners of properties where hazing occurred. Attorney911, being a Houston-based firm, is intimately familiar with the local courts and legal landscape relevant to these cases.
**5.4.5 What UH Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Report Immediately:** Utilize UH's reporting channels (Dean of Students, UHPD) for any suspected hazing. Anonymous reporting is an option.
- **Seek Medical Care:** Prioritize health. If injured or experiencing distress, seek help at UH Student Health Services or local Houston hospitals. Ensure medical providers document the hazing context.
- **Document Ruthlessly:** Screenshot all digital communications (like those involved in the Bermudez case), photograph any injuries, and save any physical evidence.
- **Legal Consultation:** Given the complexity of cases like Bermudez, contacting a Houston-based hazing lawyer from Attorney911 for a confidential consultation is highly recommended. We understand the nuances of the local campus and legal environment.
### Texas A&M University - College Station, Texas
**5.5.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
Texas A&M University in College Station is one of the largest public universities in the nation, known for its deep-rooted traditions, fiercely loyal Aggie culture, and the prominent Corps of Cadets. Drawing students from across Texas, including many from New Mexico, A&M’s campus life is steeped in spirit organizations, a robust Greek system, and an emphasis on leadership and service. Its unique blend of traditions makes a strong, proud impression.
**5.5.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
Texas A&M strictly prohibits hazing, adhering to the Texas Education Code and emphasizing consequences for any violations. Their policy covers all student groups, applies on and off campus, and clearly states that "consent" is not a defense. Reporting can be made through the Division of Student Affairs, the University Police Department (UPD), or via anonymous reporting mechanisms, including a dedicated hazing hotline linked on their website. The university actively investigates reported incidents.
**5.5.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
Hazing allegations, particularly within the Corps of Cadets and Greek life, have been a recurrent challenge for Texas A&M.
- **Corps of Cadets Hazing (2023 Lawsuit):** A lawsuit filed in 2023 by a former cadet alleged extreme and degrading hazing within a Corps outfit. The allegations included forced physical exertion, repeated forced consumption of alcohol, sexualized abuse (e.g., being forced to perform 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, claiming severe physical and psychological trauma. Texas A&M, in its response, indicated that it had handled the matter internally through its own disciplinary processes.
- **Sigma Alpha Epsilon (around 2021):** Lawsuits alleged that pledges were subjected to egregious chemical hazing. They claimed that substances, including industrial-strength cleaner, raw eggs, and spit, were poured on them, resulting in severe chemical burns that required emergency skin graft surgeries. The chapter was suspended by the university, and the national organization faced civil litigation.
- **Phi Gamma Delta (2018):** Pledge Joseph Little collapsed and died in August 2018 during what administrators found to be hazing activities. He had been accepted into Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), the same chapter where Trey Walker tragically died in 1997. The initial death was ruled suspicious by law enforcement, and the subsequent investigation highlighted concerns about hazing culture.
These incidents demonstrate that despite A&M's strict policies, hazing problems persist, particularly within high-tradition groups.
**5.5.4 How a Texas A&M Hazing Case Might Proceed**
Criminal investigations would involve the Texas A&M UPD or the College Station Police Department. Civil lawsuits, especially those involving the Corps of Cadets, would be complex due to the potentially large number of individual defendants and the university's public status (and potential sovereign immunity defenses). Cases would be filed in Brazos County civil courts. Texas-based firms like Attorney911 are experienced in navigating these complex legal waters where institutional culture and state immunity laws intersect.
**5.5.5 What Texas A&M Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Trust Your Instincts:** If something feels wrong within a student group or the Corps, it likely is.
- **Document Corps/Greek Activities:** Keep meticulous records of training schedules, new member activities, and any suspicious communications.
- **Report to Student Conduct or UPD:** Utilize A&M's reporting channels.
- **Legal Review:** Contact a Texas hazing lawyer to evaluate the potential merits of a claim, especially in light of the sovereign immunity issues often raised by state universities.
### University of Texas at Austin (UT) - Austin, Texas
**5.6.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System, known for its academic excellence, vibrant campus, and strong school pride. Many New Mexico students are drawn to UT Austin's diverse programs and its location in the state capital. The university supports a large and active Greek system, alongside numerous student organizations and athletic programs, all contributing to a dynamic collegiate experience.
**5.6.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
UT Austin strictly prohibits hazing, in line with the Texas Education Code and university rules. It defines hazing broadly and applies its policy to all registered and unregistered student groups, whether on or off campus, explicitly stating that no student may consent to hazing. UT takes a proactive stance, maintaining a dedicated "Hazing Violations" page on its website that transparently lists organizations, violation dates, specific misconduct, and disciplinary sanctions. This level of public disclosure is rare and provides a powerful tool for accountability. Reporting is facilitated through the Dean of Students Office, UTPD, or anonymous online forms.
**5.6.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
UT Austin's public Hazing Violations page reveals a clear pattern of recurring hazing incidents that result in disciplinary action. This transparency is a valuable resource for New Mexico families.
- **Pi Kappa Alpha (2023):** The university found that new members of this fraternity were directed to consume milk and forced to perform strenuous calisthenics. This was deemed a clear hazing violation, leading to the chapter being placed on probation and required to implement new hazing prevention education programs.
- **Pi Kappa Alpha (2016):** An alcohol overdose due to hazing. The victim was a pledge, Nicolas Phouthavong. Members were charged with furnishing alcohol to minors and hazing.
- **Texas Cowboys (Spirit Group, 2018):** A student died in a truck accident. UT investigated and found evidence of hazing, including sleep deprivation and forced alcohol consumption, leading to the group's temporary suspension and significant restrictions.
- **Alpha Tau Omega (2016):** Suspension and probation for hazing that included forced servitude, physical tasks, and degradation during new member activities.
UT's public reporting, while a testament to transparency, also highlights the persistent nature of hazing even with robust policies and visible sanctions.
**5.6.4 How a UT Austin Hazing Case Might Proceed**
Criminal investigations would be handled by UTPD or the Austin Police Department. Civil lawsuits would typically be filed in Travis County, which encompasses Austin. Similar to Texas A&M, UT Austin's public university status means sovereign immunity could be a factor, requiring legal strategies focused on exceptions or individual liability. The publicly available records of past hazing violations are invaluable in civil litigation, providing direct evidence of patterns and the university's knowledge of repeat offenders.
**5.6.5 What UT Austin Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Check the Hazing Violations List:** Before joining any organization, review UT's public list of hazing violations to understand an organization's history.
- **Report to Dean of Students:** UT's Dean of Students Office is a primary point of contact for alleged hazing.
- **Preserve Evidence:** Due to the risk of repeated violations, documenting all suspected hazing, from digital communications to physical demands, is crucial.
- **Consult Texas Hazing Lawyers:** Given the potential complexity with sovereign immunity, contacting a firm like Attorney911 for expert legal guidance is strongly advised for students and parents from New Mexico attending UT.
### Southern Methodist University (SMU) - Dallas, Texas
**5.7.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
Southern Methodist University, located in the upscale University Park neighborhood of Dallas, is a private university renowned for its strong academics, beautiful campus, and competitive athletic programs. Attracting a significant number of students from New Mexico, SMU is home to a deeply entrenched and prominent Greek life system, which often plays a central role in the campus social scene.
**5.7.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
SMU maintains clear anti-hazing policies, rigorously enforced through its Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. As a private institution, SMU's policies typically do not face the same sovereign immunity limitations as public universities in civil litigation. The university prohibits any act that causes physical or mental harm related to group affiliation, including alcohol misuse and forced servitude. SMU strongly encourages reporting through its Dean of Students Office, SMU Police Department (SMUPD), and various anonymous reporting options, emphasizing a strong stance against hazing to protect student well-being.
**5.7.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
SMU has a history of addressing hazing incidents within its Greek system.
- **Kappa Alpha Order (2017):** This fraternity was sanctioned following allegations of severe hazing, which reportedly included paddling, forced alcohol consumption, and extensive sleep deprivation during new member activities. The chapter faced a multi-year suspension from the university, along with significant restrictions on its ability to recruit new members for several years.
- **Alpha Epsilon Pi (2015):** This fraternity was placed on probation and lost certain privileges after allegations surfaced regarding activities that violated SMU’s hazing policy, involving new members being subjected to humiliating acts and excessive demands that impacted their academic and personal lives.
- **Sigma Chi (2010):** A hazing incident involving forced excessive drinking, which resulted in the hospitalization of a pledge, led to the fraternity's suspension and a permanent ban from campus by the national organization.
These incidents highlight SMU’s commitment to investigating hazing and imposing severe sanctions, reflecting a growing awareness of its seriousness.
**5.7.4 How an SMU Hazing Case Might Proceed**
Criminal investigations related to hazing at SMU would involve the SMUPD or the Dallas Police Department. Civil litigation, unlike those against public universities, would not typically encounter sovereign immunity defenses. Cases against SMU, its Greek chapters, and national organizations would proceed in Dallas County civil courts. As a private institution, SMU faces broader liability and often has robust insurance policies to cover such claims, making it a distinct legal landscape than public institutions.
**5.7.5 What SMU Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Be Informed about Greek Life:** For New Mexico families, engage with SMU's Student Affairs office to understand the specific rules and expectations for Greek organizations.
- **Utilize SMU's Resources:** Report all hazing suspicions to the Office of Student Conduct or SMUPD.
- **Legal Review without Immunity Hurdles:** Given SMU's private status, civil litigation might be less complicated by immunity issues. Consulting a Texas hazing attorney can help clarify the direct legal avenues available.
### Baylor University - Waco, Texas
**5.8.1 Campus & Culture Snapshot**
Baylor University, located in Waco, is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. As a private Baptist institution, Baylor emphasizes its Christian mission and has a distinctive campus culture that often attracts students from New Mexico seeking a values-based education. While it maintains a Greek presence, Baylor's campus life also revolves around a multitude of faith-based organizations, service groups, and a prominent athletic program. Its strong community and traditions are central to its identity.
**5.8.2 Official Hazing Policy & Reporting Channels**
Baylor University strictly prohibits hazing, articulating its policy through its Student Conduct website. The university's definition of hazing is comprehensive, aligned with Texas state law, and applies to all student groups, athletic teams, and university-sponsored activities, regardless of location or participant consent. Baylor encourages reporting of hazing through its Department of Student Life, the Baylor Police Department (BUPD), and other confidential reporting mechanisms available online, emphasizing a commitment to student safety and accountability.
**5.8.3 Selected Documented Incidents & Responses**
Baylor has faced significant institutional scrutiny over various student conduct issues, including hazing, particularly in its athletic programs.
- **Baylor Baseball Hazing (2020):** An internal investigation by Baylor University led to the suspension of 14 baseball players for hazing violations. The suspensions were staggered through the early part of the season. While specific details were not fully disclosed, the university's response indicated that the actions violated its strict anti-hazing policies, demonstrating that even non-Greek student groups are subject to severe sanctions.
- **Previous Greek Sanctions:** Throughout its history, various fraternities and sororities at Baylor have faced disciplinary actions, including probation, suspension, or restrictions on new member activities, for violations related to hazing, alcohol misuse, and code of conduct infringements during initiation-type events.
These incidents reflect Baylor's ongoing efforts to enforce its anti-hazing policies across its diverse student organizations, and often involve a balancing act between protecting student privacy and ensuring public accountability.
**5.8.4 How a Baylor Hazing Case Might Proceed**
Criminal investigations for hazing at Baylor would typically involve the BUPD or the Waco Police Department. Civil litigation against Baylor, as a private university, would proceed in McLennan County civil courts in Texas without the complications of sovereign immunity, similar to cases against SMU. Cases would focus on liability of individuals, the involved organization, and the university for negligent supervision or failure to protect students.
**5.5.5 What Baylor Students and Parents Should Do**
- **Understand Baylor's Ethos:** Families from New Mexico should be aware of Baylor's strong community and faith-based values and how they are applied in disciplinary matters.
- **Report Concerns Internally:** Utilize Baylor's Student Life department or BUPD for all hazing reports.
- **Seek Experienced Counsel:** Given Baylor's unique institutional culture, consulting with a Texas hazing attorney ensures that the legal strategy aligns with both the specific facts and the institutional context. Attorney911 is well-versed in navigating claims against prominent private universities in Texas.
## New Mexico Families Sending Children to Texas Universities
For New Mexico families whose children attend any of these major Texas universities, the Texas legal framework for hazing is crucial. While New Mexico has its own robust Anti-Hazing Act, the jurisdiction for incidents occurring in Texas primarily falls under Texas law. That said, the national anti-hazing movement and the core legal principles of accountability are largely consistent.
Attorney911 brings an understanding of how these different legal systems interact, and how to advocate for New Mexico families whose students face harm in Texas.
## Fraternities & Sororities: National Histories & Texas Chapters
For New Mexico families whose children are considering Greek life at universities across the Southwest, from UNM to Big Bend Community College to UT Austin, the reputation of a local chapter is only one piece of the puzzle. The national organization behind that chapter carries a history—a track record that can be pivotal in hazing litigation.
### Why National Histories Matter
Most fraternities and sororities with chapters at universities like the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State, or Texas A&M are part of larger **national organizations**. These national headquarters (often based out of state) play a significant role:
- They establish **anti-hazing policies** and often provide extensive risk management training, which they do because hazing has long been a known, tragic, and costly issue within their ranks.
- They track, or *should track*, incidents, violations, and member conduct across all their chapters.
This means that when a local chapter at a New Mexico university or a major Texas school engages in hazing, it often isn't an isolated, "rogue" incident. Instead, it can fit into a broader **pattern of behavior** seen in other chapters of the same national organization. This pattern evidence is critical in legal strategy because it demonstrates **foreseeability**. If a national organization has experienced multiple hazing deaths or severe injuries in its chapters nationwide, it is difficult for them to claim they "didn't know" such an incident could happen at another chapter. This can directly support arguments of negligence and even gross negligence against national entities.
### Texas-Specific Organizations (IRS B83)
Attorney911 meticulously tracks all IRS-registered Greek organizations. Here are some of the organizations with chapters across Texas that have prominent national histories relevant to hazing litigation:
- **Pi Kappa Alpha (often called Pike):** Nationally, Pi Kappa Alpha has a deeply troubling hazing history. They were involved in the **Stone Foltz (Bowling Green State University) hazing death in 2021**, where a pledge died from alcohol poisoning. This case resulted in multiple criminal convictions and a **$10 million settlement** for the family. In 2012, **David Bogenberger (Northern Illinois University)** also died from alcohol poisoning during a Pike hazing event, leading to a **$14 million settlement**. Chapters of Pike across Texas and the U.S. have faced similar allegations of forced excessive alcohol consumption during "Big/Little" or "pledge" events, highlighting a sustained pattern of high-risk behavior that national headquarters should be well aware of.
- **Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE):** SAE has been labeled "America's deadliest fraternity" by some media outlets due to a tragic string of hazing-related deaths over the decades. They were involved in a serious incident at **Texas A&M University (around 2021)** where pledges alleged suffering **severe chemical burns** from industrial-strength cleaner poured on them during hazing, resulting in a **$1 million lawsuit**. At the **University of Texas at Austin (2006)**, a pledge died in a fall while under the influence of alcohol, with hazing suspected as a factor. Nationally, an **SAE chapter at the University of Alabama (2023)** faced a lawsuit alleging a pledge suffered a **traumatic brain injury** during a hazing ritual. SAE’s national organization publicly eliminated the pledge process in 2014 in response to these patterns, but local chapter violations continue to occur.
- **Phi Delta Theta:** This fraternity was responsible for the death of **Maxwell "Max" Gruver at Louisiana State University in 2017**, who died from alcohol toxicity after a "Bible study" drinking game. This incident spurred Louisiana's **Max Gruver Act**. At **Texas A&M (2018)**, pledge Joseph Little died during hazing activities conducted by a Phi Delta Theta chapter. These cases, occurring only a year apart, showcase a dangerous pattern of alcohol-related hazing within the organization.
- **Pi Kappa Phi:** The national organization has been linked to numerous hazing incidents. Most recently, Attorney911 is actively litigating a **$10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Houston (2025)** on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, who suffered acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis due to severe hazing. In **2017, Andrew Coffey died from acute alcohol poisoning at Florida State University** during a Pi Kappa Phi "Big Brother Night," leading to criminal charges and civil litigation. These direct examples, including our firm's ongoing work, are stark reminders of this organization's national hazing challenges.
- **Kappa Sigma:** This fraternity was involved in the tragic drowning death of **Chad Meredith at the University of Miami in 2001**, which resulted in a **$12.6 million jury verdict** against the fraternity for negligence based on hazing that involved forced swimming while intoxicated. At **Texas Christian University (2018)**, a member was arrested for hazing pledges, highlighting ongoing concerns within local chapters. Allegations of hazing resulting in severe injuries (rhabdomyolysis) at **Texas A&M (2023)**, currently in litigation, also underscore the need for vigilance. Attorney911 has direct experience pursuing justice for rhabdomyolysis injuries related to hazing.
- **Omega Psi Phi:** A historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity (NPHC), Omega Psi Phi has faced hazing allegations nationally. At the **University of Southern Mississippi (2023)**, a former student alleged severe hazing including repeated paddlings during "Hell Night," requiring **emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation**. This resulted in a **federal lawsuit** against the university and the chapter. At **Tennessee State University (1983 and 2001)**, Omega Psi Phi chapters were linked to two hazing deaths, both involving physical hazing and extreme physical exertion.
- **Phi Kappa Psi:** In a particularly egregious case at **San Diego State University (2024)**, a pledge was **set on fire** during a party skit, resulting in **third-degree burns over 16% of his body**. Four fraternity members were charged with **felonies**, facing potential prison sentences. This incident highlights that hazing continues to involve shocking new forms of physical violence.
### Tie Back to Legal Strategy
These national patterns strengthen the legal arguments in hazing cases significantly:
- **Foreseeability:** If a national organization has been sued, sanctioned, or had members criminally charged for a particular hazing activity multiple times, it is difficult for them to argue that they could not have foreseen similar harm occurring at another chapter.
- **Negligent Supervision:** Such a history allows plaintiffs to argue that the national organization failed to adequately supervise its chapters, enforce its own policies, or intervene when patterns of dangerous hazing emerged.
- **Punitive Damages:** Evidence of repeated, ignored warnings or a pattern of deliberate indifference to known risks can support claims for punitive damages, which are intended to punish egregious conduct and deter future similar acts.
- **Insurance Coverage:** While national organizations may initially try to deny coverage by arguing "intentional acts" exclusions, lawyers can often frame claims in terms of negligent supervision or failure to address known dangerous patterns, which may be covered by insurance.
For New Mexico families, understanding that a local chapter in Albuquerque or an out-of-state chapter in Texas represents part of a larger national entity with a documented past is crucial. Attorney911 leverages this "pattern evidence" to demonstrate not just local culpability but also systemic failures within national organizations, directly impacting litigation outcomes.
## Building a Case: Evidence, Damages, Strategy
Successfully pursuing a hazing case against powerful institutions and national organizations, whether in New Mexico or Texas, requires a sophisticated and aggressive legal approach. It demands a meticulous investigation, an understanding of the types of damages victims and families can recover, and a clear legal strategy to overcome common defenses.
### The Power of Evidence: What We Look For
In modern hazing cases, evidence is paramount. It tells the story, substantiates claims, and counters denial. Attorney911 leverages an extensive investigative toolkit to uncover every piece of the puzzle.
- **Digital Communications (THE MOST CRITICAL CATEGORY):** In 2025, virtually every hazing incident leaves a digital footprint.
- **Group Messaging Apps:** Platforms like GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage/SMS, Discord, and even fraternity-specific apps are where hazing is often planned, initiated, and documented. Messages can reveal planning, intent, knowledge, and direct instructions. Even deleted messages can often be recovered through digital forensics. Attorney911’s video on using your cellphone to document a legal case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs) emphasizes how to properly screenshot and preserve these vital records.
- **Social Media Evidence:** Instagram (stories, posts, DMs), Snapchat (which often auto-deletes but can leave traces), TikTok, and Facebook can contain photos, videos, or posts showing hazing events, injuries, or revealing comments. Location tags, specific hashtags, and participant mentions are critical.
- **Direct Texts/DMs and Emails:** Personal text conversations and email threads between members, pledges, or even communications with national or university officials can provide direct evidence or reveal cover-up attempts.
- **Photos & Videos:**
- **Of Injuries:** High-resolution photos taken immediately after an incident (and documented over time) are crucial for showing the extent and progression of physical harm. Scaling objects like coins or rulers in photos provide context.
- **Of Locations & Events:** Photos or videos of the hazing location, specific items used (e.g., paddles, alcohol bottles, degrading costumes), or even footage of the hazing in progress (if obtained safely) provide irrefutable proof.
- **Internal Organization Documents:** Subpoenas can uncover pledge manuals, initiation scripts, "tradition" lists, budgets for hazing events, or internal communications that contradict public anti-hazing stances. These documents often reveal historical patterns or tacit approval of hazing.
- **University Records:** Through discovery or public records requests (like the Texas Public Information Act), we can obtain critical records:
- **Prior Conduct Files:** History of hazing violations, probations, or suspensions for the same organization or individuals.
- **Campus Police Reports:** Incident reports related to the organization or individuals involved.
- **Clery Reports:** Annual campus security reports might show institutional awareness of safety issues.
- **Internal Emails/Memos:** Communications between administrators, Greek life advisors, or coaches regarding the organization can reveal knowledge of hazing problems.
- **Medical and Psychological Records:** Comprehensive records from emergency rooms, hospitals, primary care physicians, and mental health professionals document the full extent of physical and mental injuries, including toxicology reports for alcohol or drug-related incidents. Psychological evaluations are key to proving emotional distress, PTSD, or other mental health impacts, which often constitute significant non-economic damages.
- **Witness Testimony:** Eyewitness accounts from other pledges, current or former members, roommates, RAs, coaches, or bystanders are vital. Their testimony, though potentially difficult for them to give, can corroborate other evidence and paint a vivid picture of the hazing environment.
### Types of Damages: Recovering What Was Lost
When hazing results in injury or death, victims and their families can pursue various types of damages to compensate for their tremendous losses.
- **Economic Damages:** These are quantifiable financial losses.
- **Medical Expenses:** Covering past hospital stays, surgeries, therapy (physical, occupational, speech for brain injuries), medications, medical equipment, and projections for future medical and rehabilitative care. For catastrophic injuries like permanent brain damage or rhabdomyolysis, this can include a "life care plan" accounting for a lifetime of specialized care.
- **Lost Income & Earning Capacity:** Compensation for wages lost due to recovery or inability to work, and for diminished future earning capacity if the hazing caused permanent disability. This also includes the cost of missed tuition and delayed graduation, directly impacting future earnings.
- **Other Economic Losses:** Costs for property damage (e.g., phone destroyed during hazing) or relocation expenses if a student must transfer schools due to trauma.
- **Non-Economic Damages:** These compensate for subjective, non-financial losses.
- **Physical Pain & Suffering:** Covering the actual pain from injuries, ongoing chronic pain, and the distress of losing physical abilities.
- **Emotional Distress & Psychological Harm:** Deeply significant in hazing cases, this includes diagnosed conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or even suicidal ideation or attempts. It also covers the immense humiliation, shame, loss of dignity, fear, nightmares, and loss of trust that often follow.
- **Loss of Enjoyment of Life:** Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies, social activities, or simply enjoy life as before the incident.
- **Wrongful Death Damages:** In cases where hazing results in death, the surviving family (parents, spouse, children) can recover:
- **Funeral and Burial Costs:** Direct expenses related to the death.
- **Loss of Financial Support:** If the deceased would have contributed financially to the family.
- **Loss of Companionship, Love, and Society:** Compensating for the profound emotional loss experienced by family members.
- **Grief and Emotional Suffering:** The deep psychological toll on the family.
- **Punitive Damages:** In egregious cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish defendants for reckless, willful, or malicious conduct and to deter future hazing. This is particularly relevant when institutions had prior warnings and deliberately ignored them, or when hazing was especially cruel. While often capped, they can be substantial and send a powerful message.
Lupe Peña's background as a former insurance defense attorney (https://attorney911.com/attorneys/lupe-pena/) is crucial for identifying all potential coverage sources and fighting when insurers attempt to wrongfully deny coverage based on "intentional acts" clauses. Her expertise often helps families overcome these tactics. Attorney911's wrongful death practice (https://attorney911.com/law-practice-areas/wrongful-death-claim-lawyer/) has recovered millions for families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
### Strategy: Overcoming Common Defenses
Hazing organizations and universities often employ standard defenses to avoid liability. Experienced attorneys anticipate and dismantle these strategies.
- **"The Pledge Consented" Defense:** Organizations often argue that victims "consented" to hazing. Our response: New Mexico and Texas laws explicitly state that **consent is not a defense** to hazing. Moreover, true consent is impossible under duress, coercion, and the immense power imbalance inherent in hazing.
- **"Rogue Chapter / National Didn't Know" Defense:** National organizations claim local chapters acted independently. Our response: We use evidence of **prior incidents and pattern evidence** from other chapters to show the national had **foreseeability** and knew, or should have known, about dangerous hazing practices within its system.
- **"Happened Off-Campus" Defense:** Denying responsibility because hazing occurred off university grounds. Our response: Universities and nationals can still be liable based on sponsorship, knowledge of off-campus activities, and the plain fact that moving activities off-campus is often done specifically to hide hazing.
- **"Strict Anti-Hazing Policies" Defense:** Pointing to policy manuals as a shield. Our response: We prove that these were "paper policies"—not genuinely enforced. A policy offers no protection if it's ignored or if prior violations received minimal punishment.
- **"Accidental / Unforeseeable" Defense:** Claiming the harm was a freak accident. Our response: We demonstrate that alcohol poisoning and physical injuries are **known, foreseeable risks** of hazing, often after repeated warnings that were ignored.
Attorney911 is built to take on these complex challenges. Ralph Manginello's extensive experience litigating against major institutions, including his involvement in the **BP Texas City explosion litigation**, means our firm is not intimidated by powerful defendants or their well-funded legal teams. Our resources, including federal court experience (Ralph Manginello's complete credentials and case history are detailed at https://attorney911.com/attorneys/ralph-manginello/), allow us to investigate hazing cases with the same rigor and strategic depth as any high-stakes complex litigation. Through aggressive discovery and expert testimony, we expose the truth and force accountability.
## Practical Guides & FAQs
When hazing impacts a family, immediate, practical guidance is needed. For parents, students, and witnesses in New Mexico, knowing what to do, what to look for, and what mistakes to avoid is critical to ensure safety and preserve legal options.
### For Parents in New Mexico: Recognizing & Responding to Hazing
As parents in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, or Santa Fe, your vigilance can be the most powerful defense against hazing. Be aware of these warning signs:
- **Physical Signs:** Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or "accidents," especially if your child is vague about their origin. Excessive fatigue, sudden weight loss/gain, or visible signs of sleep deprivation. Chemical rashes or skin damage. Any signs of alcohol poisoning or drug use, even if your child doesn't typically engage in such behavior.
- **Behavioral & Emotional Changes:** A sudden shift to secrecy about their organization's activities ("I can't talk about it"). Withdrawal from family and friends. Marked personality changes like increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or anger. Defensiveness when asked about the group. Expressing fear of "getting in trouble" or "letting the group down."
- **Academic Red Flags:** A sudden drop in grades, missed classes, falling asleep in class, or prioritizing "mandatory" group activities over academic responsibilities.
- **Financial Concerns:** Unexpected requests for money, unexplained large expenses ("fines"), or purchasing excessive amounts of alcohol or items for older members.
- **Digital Red Flags:** Constant phone use to monitor group chats, anxiety when their phone receives notifications at late hours, or obsessive deletion of messages/browser history. Messages or calls at all hours demanding immediate responses.
**How to Talk to Your Child:** Approach the conversation calmly and empathetically. Ask open-ended questions like, "How are things going with your group? Are you enjoying it?" or "What do they ask you to do as a new member?" Emphasize that their safety and well-being are your top priority, not avoiding "trouble" for the organization. Listen without judgment and assure them of your support if they confide in you.
**If Your Child is Hurt:** Get them immediate medical attention. **Document everything**: take multiple photos of injuries, screenshot any relevant messages or social media posts, and write down dates, times, and everything your child tells you while memories are fresh.
**Dealing with University in New Mexico or Texas:** Document every interaction. Ask specific questions about the organization's prior hazing history and the university's response.
**When to Talk to a Lawyer:** If your child has suffered significant physical or psychological harm, or if you feel the university or organization is minimizing or covering up the incident, contact a hazing lawyer immediately.
### For Students / Pledges in New Mexico: Self-Assessment & Safety Planning
For students at UNM, NMSU, or any other university, knowing your rights and how to protect yourself is vital.
**"Is This Hazing or Just Tradition?" Decision Guide:**
Ask yourself:
- Am I being forced or pressured to do something I don't want to do?
- Would I do this if I had a real choice (without fear of social exclusion)?
- Is this activity dangerous, degrading, or illegal?
- Would the university or my parents approve if they knew exactly what was happening?
- Are experienced members making new members do things they don't have to do themselves?
- Am I being told to keep secrets, lie, or hide this from outsiders?
If you answered YES to any of these, it is likely hazing under New Mexico and Texas laws. Remember, **consent is not a defense** to hazing.
**Exiting and Reporting Safely:** If you are in immediate danger, **call 911** or Campus Police (UNMPD, NMSUPD). Get to a safe location. You have the right to leave any organization at any time. If you wish to de-pledge, clearly communicate this in writing (email or text), and inform a trusted adult outside the organization. If you fear retaliation, report this concern to the Dean of Students.
**Good-Faith Reporting and Amnesty:** New Mexico law and many university policies provide amnesty for students who seek help in a medical emergency, even if underage drinking or other minor rule violations occurred. Your safety is the priority.
### For Former Members / Witnesses
If you were once involved in hazing and now feel remorse or want to do the right thing, your actions can prevent future tragedy. Your testimony and evidence are invaluable. While you may fear repercussions, it's crucial to understand that:
- Your cooperation, potentially with legal guidance, can help prevent future harm and save lives.
- Lawyers experienced in hazing cases can advise you on your rights and responsibilities as a witness, and can often help navigate potential criminal exposure, which is particularly relevant in felony hazing cases in New Mexico and Texas.
### Critical Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Case
For New Mexico families, avoiding these common errors is vital to preserving legal options in a hazing case:
1. **Letting your child delete messages or "clean up" evidence:** Parents or students might innocently try to eliminate embarrassing content or keep their child out of "more trouble." However, this looks like a cover-up, can be considered obstruction of justice, and makes proving hazing significantly harder.
- **What to do instead:** Preserve everything immediately, even content that feels shameful.
2. **Confronting the organization directly:** While it's tempting to demand answers, directly confronting the fraternity, sorority, or team might cause them to immediately seek legal counsel, destroy evidence, coach witnesses, and prepare an aggressive defense.
- **What to do instead:** Document everything, then consult an attorney before any confrontation.
3. **Signing university "release" or "resolution" forms:** Universities and organizations may pressure families into signing waivers or "internal resolution" agreements, often with small settlements. These may waive your right to pursue further legal action.
- **What to do instead:** Do NOT sign anything without an attorney reviewing it first.
4. **Posting details on social media before talking to a lawyer:** While tempting to share your story, anything posted can be used against you. Defense attorneys track social media closely, and inconsistencies or revealing too much information can harm your credibility and legal strategy.
- **What to do instead:** Document privately; let your lawyer advise on any public statements.
5. **Letting your child go back to "one last meeting":** This is a common tactic to pressure or intimidate victims and witnesses, or extract statements that can later be used to hurt your case.
- **What to do instead:** Once you're considering legal action, all communication should go through your lawyer.
6. **Waiting "to see how the university handles it":** Universities have their own interests, which may include protecting their image. Evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the statute of limitations continues to run.
- **What to do instead:** Preserve evidence immediately and consult a lawyer to review all options. The university's internal process is separate from securing legal accountability and compensation.
7. **Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer:** Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They may offer a quick, low settlement or gather information that can be used against your claim.
- **What to do instead:** Politely decline to discuss the matter and state, "My attorney will contact you."
Attorney911’s video on client mistakes that can ruin your injury case (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY) further illustrates these pitfalls. The statute of limitations can also be a critical factor, as explained in our video, Is There a Statute of Limitations on My Case? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c).
### Short FAQ
- **"Can I sue a university for hazing in New Mexico or Texas?"**
- Yes, under certain circumstances in both states. Public universities (like UNM, NMSU, Texas A&M) have some sovereign immunity, but exceptions often exist for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or civil rights violations. Private universities (like SMU or Baylor) generally 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 New Mexico or Texas?"**
- Yes, in both states, hazing can be a felony. In New Mexico, it’s a fourth-degree felony if it results in serious bodily injury or death. In Texas, it’s a state jail felony under similar circumstances. Individual officers can also face charges for failing to report hazing.
- **"Can my child bring a case if they 'agreed' to the initiation?"**
- Yes. Both the New Mexico Uniform Anti-Hazing Act and the Texas Education Code explicitly state that **consent is not a defense** to hazing. Courts recognize that "consent" given under duress, peer pressure, and fear of social exclusion is not truly voluntary.
- **"How long do we have to file a hazing lawsuit in New Mexico or Texas?"**
- Generally, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases in both New Mexico and Texas is **two years** from the date of injury or death. However, rules like the "discovery rule" may extend this if the harm or its cause wasn't immediately known, especially in cases with cover-ups. **Time is critical**—evidence disappears, witnesses graduate, and the ability to file a strong claim diminishes. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately.
- **"What if the hazing happened off-campus or at a private house?"**
- The location of the hazing does not eliminate liability in either New Mexico or Texas. Universities and national organizations can still be held liable based on sponsorship, control, knowledge, and foreseeability. Many major hazing cases that resulted in significant settlements occurred off-campus.
- **"Will this be confidential, or will my child's name be in the news?"**
- Most hazing cases settle confidentially before trial. While we always prioritize your family's privacy, you, as the client, maintain control over public statements. We can seek to keep court records sealed and settlement terms confidential.
## About Attorney911 + Call to Action
When your family faces a hazing case, particularly one that crosses state lines or involves powerful institutions in New Mexico or Texas, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who intimately understand how these formidable institutions operate, how they defend themselves, and most importantly, how to secure accountability for victims – and that’s precisely what Attorney911 provides.
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 those from El Paso, where students often attend New Mexico State, or from communities like Farmington, where students might travel to schools in Colorado or Arizona. Even if your incident occurred in New Mexico, our firm has the experience and resources to assess your case.
Our firm brings unique qualifications to hazing cases:
- **Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):** Lupe Peña, one of our associate attorneys, brings invaluable insight. As a former insurance defense attorney at a national firm, she knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies analyze and attempt to devalue hazing claims. She understands their delay tactics, their arguments for coverage exclusions, and their settlement strategies. In essence, we know their playbook because she used to be on their side.
- **Complex Litigation Against Massive Institutions (Ralph Manginello):** Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, is no stranger to taking on formidable opponents. He was involved in the **BP Texas City explosion litigation**, a complex case against a corporate giant. With extensive federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas), we are not intimidated by national fraternities, multi-million dollar universities, or their well-resourced defense teams. We have the proven capability to fight powerful defendants and hold them accountable.
- **Multi-Million Dollar Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Experience:** We have a strong track record in complex wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, working closely with economists to project long-term care needs for brain injuries or permanent disabilities. We build cases that force accountability and do not shy away from the immense investment in time and resources required for such serious claims.
- **Criminal + Civil Hazing Expertise:** Ralph Manginello's membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) ensures we understand how criminal hazing charges (which can be felonies in New Mexico and Texas) interact with civil litigation. We can provide comprehensive guidance on both fronts, advising victims and even former members with dual civil/criminal exposure.
- **Investigative Depth:** We deploy a wide network of experts including medical professionals, digital forensics specialists (to recover deleted messages), and psychologists. This allows us to uncover hidden evidence—from digitally erased group chats and social media content to internal chapter records and university files obtained through aggressive discovery or public records requests.
- **Empathy and Advocacy:** We understand that facing a hazing incident is one of the hardest things a family can experience. Our role is not just to litigate but to advocate fiercely, get you the answers you deserve, hold responsible parties accountable, and help prevent similar tragedies from befalling other families.
Whether you're a parent in New Mexico or a student at a Texas university, if hazing has impacted your family, you don't have to face this alone. We want to hear your story.
If you or your child experienced hazing at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, or any Texas campus like UH, Texas A&M, UT Austin, SMU, or Baylor, we want to hear from you. Families in New Mexico 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 under New Mexico or Texas law, and help you decide on the best path forward.
**What to expect in your free consultation:**
- We'll listen to your story without judgment.
- Review any evidence you have (photos, texts, medical records).
- Explain your legal options: criminal report, civil lawsuit, both, or neither.
- Discuss realistic timelines and what to expect.
- Answer your questions about costs – our **contingency fee** means we don't get paid unless we win your case. (You can learn more by watching our video explaining contingency fees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc).
- There is **no pressure to hire us on the spot** – take time to decide.
- Everything you tell us is confidential. (Our video on, "Will You Keep Me Updated on My Case?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JrQowOLv1k, is another excellent resource).
**Emergency Hotline:**
**Call:** 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
**Direct:** (713) 528-9070
**Cell:** (713) 443-4781
**Website:** https://attorney911.com
**Email:** ralph@atty911.com
**Spanish Services:** **Hablamos Español** - Contact Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com for consultation in Spanish. Servicios legales en español disponibles.
Whether you're in New Mexico or anywhere across Texas, if hazing has impacted your family, you don't have to face this alone. Call us today.
**Legal Disclaimer**
This article is provided for **informational and educational purposes only**. It is **not legal advice** and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.
Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.
If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.
**The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911**
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
**Call:** 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
**Direct:** (713) 528-9070 | **Cell:** (713) 443-4781
**Website:** https://attorney911.com
**Email:** ralph@atty911.com
