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Massachusetts Libel & Slander Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: As a survivor of Assault and Battery, is there anything I can do?

I am a victim of Assault and Battery. It occurred on the 9th of September and I am still in physical therapy with back and neck injuries. The hospital discharge summary says Assault, as well as other medical records and also the police report. I've had a harassment prevention order extended... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 24, 2021

file assault charges; contact your local DA's office and ask for the victim assistance coordinator.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I take my employer to court for releasing personal information to outside customers and vendors without my consent?

I recently had a baby prematurely. I shared this information internally with my employer. Within a few hours of sharing, I received an email from a co-worker to a group of customers, (some of which I do not know) detailing not only the birth of my son but also his full name and that he was born... View More

Carrie Dyer
Carrie Dyer
answered on May 12, 2021

More information is needed to analyze your situation. Is your employer requiring you to take a leave you otherwise are not intending to take? Additionally, there is no private cause of action under HIPPA. Only the Department of Health and Human Services and state attorneys general have the power... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Domestic Violence and Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: Lots of resources for physical abuse, but what options do I have for psychological / legal abuse, slander & harassment?

Physical abuse victims have many resources, but what about those being harassed, slandered, stalked & tormented by a malicious sociopath? Sociopaths strategically execute their schemes covertly, staying “under the radar” which keeps them just inside the law so they avoid exposure &... View More

William Barabino
PREMIUM
William Barabino
answered on Feb 7, 2020

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Without knowing more specifics about your situation, I cannot give you direct legal guidance, but I would say that one option that may be available to you in Massachusetts is obtaining a Chapter 258A or Harassment Prevention order....
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Libel & Slander and Sexual Harassment for Massachusetts on
Q: What type of lawyer am I looking for?

My boyfriend of 4 years has been living a double life and has a one year old child with another woman. He’s been using me financially, borrowing over $25k over the course of our relationship. I have PayPal transfer receipts and written promises of repayment, fraudulent reasoning for why he needed... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jan 3, 2019

You may have a case for breach of contract for the loans. As for the allegations of infidelity, you may want to contact the other woman via counsel. As for allegations of child endangerment of some sort, it depends on the facts. And do you need a restraining order for some reason? More details are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Litigation and Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: Nolle Prosequi

The prosecutor filed a Nolle Prosequi in a case i was the defendant in. Can I file a civil lawsuit against the plaintiff for filing a false report against me? I live in Massachusetts, thank you

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jan 3, 2019

What is the basis for the prosecutor's decision to withdraw the complaint against you? Were you defamed or otherwise wrongfully prosecuted? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law, Libel & Slander and Sexual Harassment for Massachusetts on
Q: My child continues to get harrassed in person and on social media. A female posts statements claiming my son "sexually

harrassed" her. She sent it through snap chat. It is not accurate. What are my son's rights. BTW both ages are 14 years old.

Lissa McKinney
Lissa McKinney
answered on Aug 24, 2018

You are in a tricky spot to navigate as there are so many ways to go and so many pitfalls too. Have you contacted the police about the cyber-bullying? If they are in the same school, have you notified the school so they can intervene on the bullying as well? As for the harassment, if they were... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Libel & Slander, Employment Law, Civil Rights and Education Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I am a teacher who has recently been placed on administrative leave due to an undisclosed allegation made by a student.

I would like to consult with a private attorney (outside of the union) regarding next steps.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: I have a woman who is harassing multiple people on my street because she can't keep track of her man. There is a lot go

She continually calls the tip line, lies on affidavits, has left threatening voicemails and text, put personal information on social media. She even called housing on a neighbor as well as DCF with false accusations. We tried getting a P.H.O and were told we didn't have enough. She also... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Apr 27, 2017

You can call the police re: the noise disturbance and threats. If there are lies that qualify as slander/ libel, you may be able to sue for that. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: I am a victim of revenge porn and my state is still passing a bill about it. What can I do
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Apr 22, 2017

You can sue in court for invasion of privacy. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Libel & Slander, Military Law and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: What recourse do I have if someone stole my veterans medical documents and DD214 and gave them to an attorney?

My private documents were stolen out of my office space and used against me in a deposition by the thief given them to her attorney. Now they are using these documents to further explore and have a judge sepeona the rest of my records.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Feb 19, 2017

I assume it's a domestic matter. Take it up with your attorney. He can file a motion in limine.

2 Answers | Asked in Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: My ex and her mother are lieing to landreds provinting me from having a roof over my head this is making it difficult.

I'm homeless and I have not seen my daughter in over a week my ex kicked me out because I called the cops on her for emotional abousing my daughter. Her and her mom as been making it hard for me to live and because of it I'm still homeless in the middle of Winter. Is there a law or a way... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 13, 2017

You can access self-help resources for filing for child custody/ visitation at your local law library or online at the NY Courts website. You may seek a homeless shelter's help or a shelter for abused women, if applicable. You can report child abuse to child welfare services for investigation.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: Can defamation of character be made if a reply to a group email (12+ people) includes slanderous comments about me?

An email was written by a person who had removed off a volunteer board due to some publically embarrassing actions on their part. This person included information about myself that I believe could be considered slanderous and trying to tarnish my name/character. The information was about an... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Feb 9, 2017

See: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation

More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Libel & Slander for Massachusetts on
Q: Can a public domain image of a politician be used for a commercial product, or do personality rights come into play?

I'm curious if all the humorous political paraphernalia that includes an actual photo of a person is legal or not. (For example: Trump or Obama toilet paper)

Glenn B. Manishin
Glenn B. Manishin
answered on Jan 7, 2017

Copyright in images typically does not apply to parodies, and it is unlikely you can libel a famous person (a "public figure") with a political humor under the First Amendment and New York Times v. Sullivan unless your statement is presented as a fact and you have "actual... View More

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