Opinion No. 44-4617
November 20, 1944
TO: Mrs. Georgia L. Lusk, Supt. of Public Instruction, Department of Education, Santa Fe, New Mexico
We are in receipt of your letter of November 16, 1944, together with the enclosed letter from Edward C. DeMuth, Principal of the Carlsbad High School. In that letter it is stated that serious hazing took place in Carlsbad at about the time of the opening of school.
There is, of course, no statute covering this situation. It appears to me that the question of hazing should be handled just as any other disciplinary matter by the Principal, Superintendent and local Board of Education. Of course, if any criminal offense has been committed, such as assault and battery, it would be a matter for the local District Attorney.
Trusting that the foregoing sufficiently answers your inquiry, I am
By ROBERT W. WARD,
Asst. Atty. General