Florida law treats hazing as a real criminal charge, not just a campus disciplinary matter. Depending on what happened, it can be a first-degree misdemeanor or a third-degree felony, and the consequences reach further than most people expect.
What counts as hazing under Florida law?
Under Fla. Stat. § 1006.63, hazing is any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes connected to initiation into, admission to, or affiliation with a student organization. This covers fraternities, sororities, and other student organizations at Florida colleges and universities, and the law was expanded to reach high schools as well.
When does hazing become a felony instead of a misdemeanor?
The charge depends on outcome, not just intent. Hazing that creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Hazing that results in serious bodily injury or death becomes a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Is consent a defense to a hazing charge?
No. Florida law specifically states that a victim’s consent is not a defense to hazing. This surprises people, since many hazing incidents involve someone voluntarily participating in order to join an organization. The law was written that way on purpose, because the whole point of hazing is that participants often feel pressured to agree.
Can someone be charged for just knowing about hazing and not reporting it?
Yes, in some circumstances. Florida’s hazing law reaches beyond the person who directly commits the act. Someone who solicits another person to commit hazing, or is actively involved in planning it, can face charges even without directly causing the injury themselves. This is a broader net than many people realize when they assume only the person who caused physical harm is at risk.
Where did this law come from?
Florida’s hazing law is named the Chad Meredith Act, after a University of Miami student who died in a hazing-related incident in 2001. It was strengthened in 2019 through what is commonly called Andrew’s Law, named for a Florida State University student who died at a fraternity event in 2017. Both changes were direct responses to real cases where existing law was found insufficient to address what had happened.
Does this law only apply to fraternities and sororities?
No. The statute covers any type of student organization, which can include sports teams, clubs, marching bands, and other groups, not just Greek life. The purpose behind the conduct, initiation into or affiliation with an organization, matters more than what kind of organization it is.
What should I do if I am facing a hazing charge?
These cases often involve conflicting accounts from multiple witnesses, questions about what specific person did what, and a real difference between misdemeanor and felony exposure depending on how the facts are characterized. See our General Criminal Defense page for how the firm approaches cases like this, and our Legal Terms Glossary for related terms that come up in these cases.
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