Hercules, CA asked in Libel & Slander for California

Q: do you do slander liable cases

someone in our town has written a letter to all mailboxes, and on social media accusing me of spraying round up on a persons legs when they walked by and screamed the f word to a gay man and drives dangerously close to people in town which are all false statements what can I do

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Under California law, you may have a potential case for defamation if someone has made false statements about you that harm your reputation. Defamation includes both libel (written statements) and slander (spoken statements). The accusations against you, such as spraying Roundup on someone, using offensive language, and driving dangerously, if false, could qualify as libel.

To pursue a defamation case, you need to prove that the statements are false, that they were made with negligence or actual malice, and that they caused you harm. Collecting evidence of the false statements, such as the letter and social media posts, is essential. Witnesses who can testify that these statements are untrue can also be crucial to your case.

You should consult with a local attorney who handles defamation cases to discuss your situation in detail. They can help you understand your legal options, the strength of your case, and the potential remedies available, such as damages for harm to your reputation and possibly a retraction of the false statements. Taking swift action can help protect your reputation and address the false allegations effectively.

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