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Michigan Libel & Slander Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Libel & Slander and Probate for Michigan on
Q: How is it known to the public if court records are or files are sealed?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 28, 2023

There is typically no way for the general public to know if court records or files have been sealed unless this is specifically disclosed by the court. Sealed records are, by definition, restricted from public access and inspection.

Instead, here is what generally happens when records are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Domestic Violence, Identity Theft and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: I've lost everything. My Ex-husband stole my identity, 2019, and ultimately my home of 18yrs in 2021. Is there a case?

I have my warranty deed, as well as the warranty deed of the woman I purchased my home from before Matthew and I were even married. In our divorce it states we have no claim to any belongings or property of the other. Also in decree, this will come up later, I had my last name legally changed back... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Sep 29, 2023

A forged deed is not valid. You can file suit to challenge the forged deed and regain possession of your property. The notary may also have liability, and the notary probably posted a bond in the amount of $10,000 from which you might recover. You should consult with an attorney because the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Can you sue someone for making a false report to animal control?

Someone told animal control that we keep our dog chained up in our garage and muzzled at all times, which was completely made up as I have about half an acre backyard and garage is basically he's dog house, there was no chain and no muzzle because I have huge FENCED IN YARD!

the animal... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 27, 2023

Absolutely. Even though you apparently don’t have any compensatory damages, you may be entitled to recover nominal damages if you prevail.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Can I file suit for defamation or slander/libel against the attorney who called me "lazy" in my divorce proceedings?

The judge warned that "lazy" was not a reason for divorce. Additionally, I have been disabled by chronic illness since childhood. This was known to my ex-husband, who had accompanied my parents to 2 major surgeries I had while we were engaged.

I've realized through therapy... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 18, 2023

In Michigan, the ability to file a defamation or slander/libel lawsuit against an attorney who called you "lazy" during your divorce proceedings may be limited by legal privileges related to statements made within the context of litigation. Statements made within legal proceedings could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander, Criminal Law, Communications Law and Domestic Violence for Michigan on
Q: I’m looking for an attorney to help me stop harassment- threatening (position as a mother)-mental abuse- lies- defaming

I just filed a ppo and 3rd parties against my ex that we have 2 previous domestic violence but I dropped in 2010 bc the court didn’t do anything after he broke his ppo 4x and the 2nd I didn’t show from fear etc. I want to press charges against both my ex and his girlfriend and will show up this... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 17, 2023

You should contact your county prosecutor's office. You should also contact the police concerning any new allegations. Whether the prosecutor will "reopen" the 2021 case is discretionary and will depend on how they feel they can prove that case. Whenever you don't show up,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: How do I remove harmful stuff on me when it was expunged from my record? It is killing my chance at every job I take.

An expunged record should not be for all to be viewed.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 12, 2023

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to do so. The reason why is because of the proliferation of aggregate record sites that operate by pulling public records from various sources. All that an expungment does is correct the official record; it does nothing for the third-party commercial websites... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Construction Law, Libel & Slander and Small Claims for Michigan on
Q: We are a GC trying to collect most of final payment. Homeowner refuses to let us back for punch list- owes 6375

The contract amount is 20,875. This guy is a lawyer and a bully. He refuses to pay or allow us to finish minor details. What can we do? He also left a nasty google review full of lies

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Mar 10, 2023

I see three remedies:

1. A construction lien. I am not going to write up all of the steps because it is somewhat complicated and we don't have enough facts to determine whether the remedy is available.

2. A lawsuit against your customer to collect the balance.

3. A...
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1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Divorce, Legal Malpractice and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue my divorce lawyer for deformation? She reached out to opposing consule and threatened I was going to call CPS.

I reached out to my lawyer to ask her advise and I specifically said no I could never call cps on him. I had no clue she then turned around and threatened his lawyer that I was prepared to call cps on him. I had no idea of this till after my divorce was over. This lead to a spiral of events during... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 4, 2023

Unlikely. If you found out only after the divorce was finalized, how would you 1) prove she in fact did this, and 2) it caused you some damage, considering as part of the settlement, you made a record that you were satisfied to a certain extent with the outcome.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Good afternoon, Requesting assistance of an Advocate/Pro Bono Attorney who deals with online cyber bullying & theft
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 15, 2023

While I sympathize with your situation, I am not able to personally offer pro bono legal services. However, you may want to reach out to local legal aid organizations or bar associations in your jurisdiction that may have resources available for individuals dealing with online cyber bullying and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Libel & Slander and Collections for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal for someone to slander and harass you if you owe them money?

Also what if the defendant tries to settle out of court but plaintiff refuses.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 14, 2022

Depends on what you mean by "slander" and "harass", both of which have legal standards and definitions that may differ from what you interpret those words to mean.

There is no obligation to settle out of court. Courts exist for when people disagree.

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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Is there libel to place an opinion in a police report like "he is an antisocial person, who hates cops!"

If an officer takes a complaint should the complainants opinions be included in the report?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 29, 2022

There is nothing wrong with it. A police report is not evidence; it is simply a summation of information police received. If the complaintant said that, it's proper for the police to report it. A trial will determine whether that statement is relevant and admissible.

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: What could I do about my fiance being slandering with false allegations on social media?

Hello. I am 19 and my fiance is 21, and we're dealing with an issue. My mother and father are posting about me being missing and my fiance being a human trafficker when it's 100% false. My fiance is visually impaired and walks with a walker, and makes motivational content. My mother... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 28, 2022

Not much you can do. For one thing, if the slander is directed toward your fiance, then only he has standing to do anything about it; you can't do it for him. And it's questionable whether what your mother is saying is libel or slander. There is very much a difference between an opinion... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Libel & Slander and Internet Law for Michigan on
Q: Is it possible to not know if you had a restraining order that was put on you 5 months ago in Michigan?

A woman I reported to the police in May made a tiktok video with me with my pics name and another females pictures accusing us of stalking her and talking to her man. She labeled me stalker no.1 with a restraining order she claims she filed 5 months ago. When I went to the police to complain about... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 9, 2022

If there were a restraining order - more technically called a PPO - the police should have told you when you reported this.

You can go to the circuit court in your county to see if one has been filed.

I suppose you could try to sue this person civilly - and you possibly have some...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Civil Litigation and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Assuming there is enough evidence to substantiate my claims. Is my ex-girlfriend accountable in any way for tearing our

child's amniotic membrane 8 weeks early to get on FMLA at work? and then for going out of her way to maliciously infect me with covid, and then for falsely accusing me of PPO and stalking when I asked to see my child too many times? How do I hold someone like this accountable? and how do I... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 21, 2022

If it is a crime you are alleging she committed, then you can certainly contact the police and make a report; it's likely they will say this is a family / civil matter and stay out of it.

Is there a current PPO? You need to file an objection and have a hearing about that. Until then,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Do i have a reasonable right to privacy in my own home in my own bedroom
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 6, 2021

Yes; next to a bathroom, I cannot think of a place where more expectation of privacy exists.

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander and Sexual Harassment for Michigan on
Q: Sexual assault victim that is trying to understand if i am able to express my freedom of speech to make a facebook post

I had a sexual assault case that ended in my abuser taking a gulity plea, and i ended up making a facebook post with my abusers name. Are they able to sue me for defamation or anything because of this?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 30, 2021

Doubtful. Although you should be careful not to stray from the truth. The guilty plea is a matter of public record.

BUT, for your own well-being: what do you gain by posting on Facebook? Justice has been presumptuously served in court. The court of public opinion can be far less forgiving....
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2 Answers | Asked in Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Advise both persons on whether any tortious claims will be successful

Adam sees ahead of him in the street an individual who, from the rear, looks remarkably like his former girlfriend, Barbara. He sneaks up behind the person, taps the person on the shoulder, and tenderly kisses the person on the cheek. It is not in fact Barbara, but Carla. Carla screams and throws a... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 20, 2021

If this is a law school question, Adam commits a battery when he proceeded to kiss Carla on the cheek after tapping her shoulder with time to ascertain her true identity.

If this is a practical practice question, your question leaves out the most important consideration: what are the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Hello, I am being harassed by a former student that seems to be escalating

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Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Mar 15, 2021

Not enough information, but there may be civil (such as a PPO) or criminal (such as reporting it to the police) *remedies* you could seek.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Libel & Slander for Michigan on
Q: Can I file a lawsuit against someone for defamation of character and discrimination?I have proof ? Accusing me of crime

A supervisor at my old job is accusing me of committing a crime of vandalism on his vehicle, there is no evidence against me but I have messages of him calling me a criminal saying and also telling people it was me who committed the crime of a vandalism act to his vehicle , he even reported my name... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 5, 2021

You probably could take him to court, but unless you have provable damages, I don't know what good it will do. Defamation and any civil claim is different and carries a different burden of proof than a criminal case.

2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Reception at hospital loudly/publicly discussed my medical care, finances, my injury, payment history, and my looks.

They checked me in and I sat in the waiting room with others. They were commenting on how much I paid on my bill that day, how is the hospital would never see another penny, The fact that I was getting fake teeth (previous boating accident facial trauma) and that it wouldn't help anyway, how... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 3, 2021

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal. You could continue to await a response, or you could consider reaching out to a local attorney to discuss, also looking into whether any state laws apply here. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

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