Hazing laws exist, in part, for the same reason RICO and other conspiracy laws exist. It’s an action that extends past the person who put the loaded backpack on the drunk pledge and pushed him down the stairs. Assault, manslaughter, and murder charges could be filed against the individual while leaving the rest of the guilty group out since they have “clean hands”. Hazing laws address a systemic, organizational practice that wasn’t addressed by the laws as they were written.

Not all laws are enforced by men and women with guns and badges. Criminal statutes are, but an equal portion of our laws are civil. Those aren’t enforced by men and women with guns.