A form of publication which tends to cause one to lose the esteem of the community is defamation. This is injury to reputation. A person can be held liable for the defamation of another. In order to prove defamation, the plaintiff must prove:
- that a statement was made about the plaintiff's reputation, honesty or integrity that is not true;
- publication to a third party (i.e., another person hears or reads the statement); and
- the plaintiff suffers damages as a result of the statement.
Slander is a form of defamation that consists of making false oral statements about a person which would damage that person's reputation. If one spreads a rumor that his neighbor has been in jail and this is not true, the person making such false statements could be held liable for slander.
Defamation which occurs by written statements is known as libel. Libel also may result from a picture or visual representation. Truth is an absolute defense to slander or libel.
Some statements, while libelous or slanderous, are absolutely privileged in the sense that the statements can be made without fear of a lawsuit for slander. The best example is statements made in a court of law. An untrue statement made about a person in court which damages that person's reputation will generally not cause liability to the speaker as far as slander is concerned. However, if the statement is untrue, the person making it may be liable for criminal perjury.
If a communication is made in good faith on a subject in which the party communicating it has a legitimate right or interest in communicating it, this communication may be exempt from slander liability due to a qualified privileged.
The following form letter demands that someone cease making libelous or slanderous statements, or appropriate legal action will be taken.
Slander And Libel Act In Tarrant
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State:
Multi-State
County:
Tarrant
Control #:
US-00423BG
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Word;
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This research guide includes information and resources on defamation, business disparagement, libel, and slander. The responsibility for filling out your petition rests with you, the plaintiff.To successfully sue for slander in Houston, TX one must establish several elements: 1. A false statement was made. 2. Learn about what to do when someone makes false statements against you and if you have a case. Request a New York City false accusations lawyer today. A suit for damages for libel, slander, or invasion of privacy shall be brought and can only be maintained in the county in which the plaintiff resided. Small claims cases are filed in a justice court and the case will be heard in front of the justice of the peace. Defamation laws in Texas are designed to protect individuals from false statements that harm their reputation. Defamation is an area of law that provides a civil remedy when someone's words end up causing harm to your reputation or your livelihood.
