Hazing
18 Pa.C.S. 2802 — a summary offense, a misdemeanor on likely injury, a felony on serious injury
In Pennsylvania, a person commits hazing by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing, coercing or forcing a minor or student, to initiate them into or keep them in an organization, to break the law, consume a harmful substance, or endure physical, mental or sexual brutality or any other activity reasonably likely to cause bodily injury.
| The conduct | The grade |
|---|---|
| The conductHazing | The gradeSummary offense |
| The conductHazing that results in or creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury | The gradeMisdemeanor of the third degree |
| The conductAggravated hazing: serious bodily injury or death, with reckless indifference or forced alcohol or drugs | The gradeFelony of the third degree |
- Reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement or military training, contests and events are not hazing.
Other crimes committed in the course of hazing are charged under their own sections, and schools keep their own discipline. What a grade means in fines and jail is on this state's charges page. Whether conduct was hazing is a question for a court and for a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- 18 Pa.C.S. 2802 — Hazing
- 18 Pa.C.S. 2803 — Aggravated hazing
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.