attorney who represented hazing andover ma

Who is Neil Faigel?

A seasoned criminal defense lawyer with more than 30 years of experience, Neil Faigel has represented individuals and corporations in all levels of Massachusetts State Courts as well as Federal Courts in New England. For over a decade he served as an Adjunct Professor at the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, teaching criminal trial practice with an emphasis on courtroom methodology. After law school, Mr. Faigel was employed at Jack Zalkind & Associates in Boston, MA, where he was part of a criminal defense team that defended some of the most high profile cases in the Commonwealth. In...

Who is Robert Lewin?

Former Assistant District Attorney Robert Lewin’s practice is limited to the Defense of all Criminal Charges in all Massachusetts Courts (District, Superior, and Juvenile) and in all Federal Courts in Massachusetts.... Read More »

What is hazing abuse?

Hazing is a heinous, widespread form of abuse that few people can identify and even fewer people have spoken out against. See if you can note a pattern in the deaths of the young people below—all of whom were 18-20 when they died.

Why do people haze new members?

Hazing victims often haze new members or pledges because they want to feel the same power that was exerted on them. The abuse creates a vicious cycle. That’s why half of college students involved in clubs, sports, or organizations (of all genders) reported experiencing hazing at some point.

Who is the attorney for the Chad Meredith Act?

Attorney David Bianchi testified before the Florida Senate Criminal Justice committee in March 2019 to propose amendments to the Chad Meredith Act. The proposals included granting immunity to the first person to call 911 on behalf of a hazing victim (provided they cooperate), prosecuting hazing suspects for causing permanent injury, and holding the organizers and recruiters behind hazing events criminally liable. As one of the architects of the Chad Meredith Act, Mr. Bianchi knows well what the victims of hazing need to hold wrongful actors accountable. In his words, these proposals help make a “good law even better.” Their testimony convinced the committee to approve the proposals, bringing it one step closer to becoming law.

What is fraternity hazing?

All hazing relies on some form of coercion, but fraternity hazing preys specifically on a person's need to belong.

How did Maxwell Gruver die?

Maxwell Gruver (2017) Phi Delta Theta. Killed by alcohol poisoning and aspiration during a ritual called "Bible Study.".

Who is the law named after?

The law was named for Andrew Coffey, an FSU student who died during a Pi Kappa Phi tradition where he was told to drink an entire bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon. When fraternity members found him, they spent 11 minutes texting one another before they called an ambulance. By then, it was too late.

What are the effects of hazing?

The impact of hazing can include: Loss of ability to sleep. Emotional or mental instability. Loss of a sense of control over one’s life. Declining grades or inability to finish coursework. Decline in quality of relationships to loved ones. Post-traumatic stress. Erosion of trust and growing sense of isolation.