What good is an anti-hazing law?

[hoosier]

If they won't prosecute?




_ Prosecutor declines to charge frat with hazing is dousing incidentfor urine dousing
By the Associated Press

Published January 24, 2004

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- A fraternity at the University of Virginia will not face hazing charges for dousing a pledge with vinegar and urine, a prosecutor said.
"Hazing, as defined in the criminal code, was not supported because there was no serious bodily harm," Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Chapman said.


Chapman had been reviewing the case of a 19-year-old student who said he and other pledged at Delta Sigma Phi were doused with vinegar and urine and endured other violent and disgusting hazing rituals as part of a pledge ritual on Oct. 28.
While declining to press hazing charges, Chapman said Saam Fouladgar, a student at the university from Dunn Loring, has been charged with trespassing and destruction of property for an incident that occurred at an apartment on the morning of Oct. 28.
Friends and roommates of the sophomore who filed the hazing complaint called police after two men were seen entering the sophomore's apartment and later throwing furniture into the parking lot. The sophomore's identity has been withheld by police.
Fouladgar is due in Charlottesville General District Court on Feb. 20. The charges, each misdemeanors, carry a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.

[Kevin]

No good.

I think there's probably more here than the story is saying.

The HQ of the organization may have struck a deal to discipline the chapter. The HQ may have paid hush money to the hazees. Hard to say.

If this chapter just got away with this, they dodged a hell of a bullet. If this doesn't prompt them to change their behavior, nothing could.

[Tom Earp]

One Word only! SAD

Hoosier whether True or not, it makes us as Greeks all look bad!

[madmax]

Originally posted by ktsnake
No good.

I think there's probably more here than the story is saying.

The HQ of the organization may have struck a deal to discipline the chapter. The HQ may have paid hush money to the hazees. Hard to say.

If this chapter just got away with this, they dodged a hell of a bullet. If this doesn't prompt them to change their behavior, nothing could.

Hush money? I think you are watching too much TV. According to the DA the way the law is written someone needs to be injured for hazing charges to stick. The DA didn't charge anyone with hazing but he did charge Saam Fouladgar with trespassing and destruction of property.

The chapter didn't dodge a bullet. Their charter was pulled months ago. http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1103/111235.html

[KnightDU02]

But that is nothing compared to an incident where some pledges were thrown from a pickup after they were handcuffed then placed in the bed for a game of "chicken". Thank god no one was killed when the trucks collided, but one student almost severed his nose. But like the students in VA, nothing serious has happened to any of the parties involved criminally, the chapter was "suspended" for a year, but that's all that will happen. It's sad when someone actually has to die before laws are strictly enforced, I really hope it doesn't get to that point.

[Tom Earp]

Laws are Laws. If they are on the books, it is up to the individuals who enforce them on what to do. But, they are still there and maybe it is just the interpretation and judgement of said persons.

As was said on a previous post, it is the interpretaion and the explanation of the circumstances. Northwestern thread should bring that out as a point.

How should that be interpretated, was it consensual and if so, what were the circumstances at the time. Is it crying wolf when one is caught in a position?

A lot depends on the actual evidence at the time of occurance. Did this really happen or was it something that was said at the moment.

Interrigation after the thought does at many times change the actual facts. Not trial by Media as is done so many times!