Aggressive Defamation Lawyer 410-598-3535

Slander is a legal term that is used to describe oral or spokes statements that are false made by one party against another. It is the oral form of defamation which is communicated verbally to a third party that makes it temporary. The subject of slanderous statements can pursue legal action against the slanderer.

Spoken Defamation, called slander, is the tort of uttering false statements of fact that harm another’s reputation.

There are two basic categories of defamation: slander and libel. Slander refers to oral defamation, while libel generally refers to written defamation, though much spoken speech that has a written transcript also falls under the category of libel.

The First Amendment rights of free speech and free press often conflict with interests served by defamation law. The press is supposed to report on issues of public concern. However, individuals have a right not to be subjected to statements that injure their character. The conflict between the two rights can lead to negative public views of the press, expensive litigation, and hefty jury verdicts.

The right to protect one’s good name lies at the heart of defamation law

Defamatory comments might include false comments that a person engaged in certain sexual activities or committed a particular crime.

The hallmark of a defamation claim is harm to reputation. One former United States Supreme Court Justice wrote that the essence of a defamation claim is the right to protect one’s good name. He explained in 1966 that the tort of defamation “reflects no more than our basic concept of the essential dignity and worth of every human being — a concept at the root of any decent system of ordered liberty.”

Defamation suits can have chilling effect on free speech

However, defamation suits can test and threaten First Amendment rights. If a person fears that he or she can be sued for defamation for publishing or uttering a statement, he or she might avoid uttering the expression, even if such speech should be protected by the First Amendment.

Aggressive Slander Lawyer