Michigan’s Anti-Hazing Law Upheld by State Appeals Court

Michigan’s two-decade-old anti-hazing law is constitutional, the state Court of Appeals said as it allowed a criminal case to proceed over the alcohol-induced death of a fraternity pledge at Michigan State University.

A three-judge panel on Monday rejected several arguments made by defendant Ethan Cao, a former Pi Alpha Phi “pledge master,” against “Garret’s Law.”

Cao argued the law violates his First Amendment right to freedom of association, but Judge Matthew S. Ackerman wrote that this “does not extend to conduct that deliberately or recklessly endangers the physical health or safety of current or prospective” fraternity members.

Equal protection arguments ...