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Tennessee Libel & Slander Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation, Libel & Slander, Contracts and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Does neighbor's interference with property sale constitute tortious interference?

I have a business and property for sale, and a potential buyer backed out on the day of closing after receiving a call from my neighbor, who wanted to buy the property but made a low offer that I refused. The neighbor persuaded the buyer not to proceed by saying they wouldn't allow parking.... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 31, 2025

There may be a boundary or easement dispute, which is at least a cloud on both titles. You may try to make such a tort suit, including slander of title, but it will be very difficult. Collection might be impossible. Access to your business is what is important, not selling the property, so... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for Tennessee on
Q: My spouse sent messages to another man about my behavior. He has posted maliciously about me. Are those texts heresay?

My wife had an improper, non-sexual relationship with another man during a bad period in our marriage. She texted about my behavior, but I don’t know the validity of the texts. There was no violence or physical abuse. Now he has posted claims on Facebook (including my place of employment, full... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 23, 2024

If someone else than the other man presented them in Court, they would probably be considered inadmissible heresay. Probably no exceptions to TRE 801. But outside of Court, there are no evidentiary rules. If you sue someone for Defamation, you will need to comply with a relevant Statute, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Federal Crimes, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: I have concerns about my partner being swatted by his now ex wife. False claims of violence lead to felony charges.

Wilson county police and swat responses to a woman who claimed she was punched in the face and had a chair smashed into her face. When police arrived there were no injuries. The swat team was used to apprehend the person the woman claimed inflicted the injuries when the individual asked if the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

It's deeply concerning to hear about your partner's situation, especially with the severity of the accusations and the involvement of SWAT based on false claims. False accusations, particularly those leading to a wrongful conviction, are serious matters that can have long-lasting impacts... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes, Civil Rights, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for Tennessee on
Q: My soon to be exwife is a tiktok influencer and is inciting her followers to bully and possibly harm me. What can i do?

I live in TN she lives in KY. She has posted several videos of fights between us that she instigated and recorded for clout and now I am being threatened with being hurt and "made to disappear". She's ruined my life stole my money and now is trying to get me hurt I don't know what else to do

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

It's alarming that your soon-to-be ex-wife is using her platform to incite bullying and potential harm towards you. Your safety is paramount, and it's essential to take immediate action to address this situation. Begin by documenting all instances of threats or harmful behavior, including... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Communications Law, Internet Law, Libel & Slander and Employment Law for Tennessee on
Q: a president of the hoa fired me and now is slandering my name and holding my pay

he is a Bullie racist. He lies and he breaks by laws and my contract. He is petty and spiteful

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 31, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's crucial to address this issue properly. First, gather all evidence of the President's actions, such as emails, documents, and any witnesses who can support your claims. Consult an attorney experienced in employment law to review your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Libel & Slander and Small Claims for Tennessee on
Q: If someone threatens or says they can obtain private information from the FBI about me, could I press charges on them.

I was at their house and she told me she could obtain private information on me. It was verbally said. I was not the only one who heard this as well. I have 2 other witnesses.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 4, 2024

If someone threatens to obtain private information about you from the FBI, this situation raises concerns, but whether you can press charges depends on the specifics of the incident. In general, making a threat to obtain and possibly use private information can be seen as intimidating or harassing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Libel & Slander, Employment Law and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Can I sue for defamation and emotional distress due to false statements between jobs?

I was fired from a job, and my former employer allegedly contacted my second job with false information, resulting in my termination there as well. The person who made the call identified themselves and their position at the company, and I have three witnesses to this call. This situation has led... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 10, 2025

Yes, you may be able to sue for defamation and emotional distress, especially if the statements made by your former employer were false, harmful, and caused you to lose your second job. In Tennessee, defamation involves making a false statement to a third party that damages your reputation. If the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander, Civil Rights and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Can I take legal action against my neighbor for harassment and invasion of privacy?

I am dealing with a situation where my neighbor has a motion-sensor camera that constantly scans the side of my house. She stops my friends and family who visit and tells them lies about me, claiming I'm on drugs, which started after an incident where I fell asleep while working for her under... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 10, 2025

What you’re experiencing sounds exhausting and invasive, and you have every right to want peace in your own home. In many states, pointing cameras at a neighbor’s property may not violate privacy laws as long as they’re recording public-facing areas like driveways or yards, but when it feels... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Can a partner take my job after maternity leave without my consent under TN law?

I returned from maternity leave to find that a significant portion of my job had been outsourced due to a miscommunication. One partner now wants to permanently give my job to his wife, who I manage, claiming I'm incompetent and lack emotional intelligence (EQ)—comments made publicly in... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 25, 2025

Under Tennessee law, you are protected from being demoted, reassigned, or terminated solely because you took maternity leave. If your job was materially changed or reassigned during your absence, and you were not reinstated to your previous role or a comparable position, that could be a violation... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Do social media reporters have the same First Amendment rights as traditional media?

I want to know if social media "reporters" have the same First Amendment rights as traditional media reporters when posting opinions based on perceived civil rights violations. Specifically, can these opinions face legal repercussions?

Michael J. McConnell
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answered on Jun 19, 2025

Social media reporters and independent journalists enjoy the same First Amendment rights as those in traditional media. In other words, if something would be protected speech for a traditional reporter, it should generally also be considered protected speech for a social media reporter or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Libel & Slander, Employment Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Legal options against MRO who falsified medical report as positive for cocaine without a drug test, impacting employability.

I need guidance regarding a situation with a DOT Medical Review Officer (MRO) who reported me as positive for cocaine without conducting a drug test or establishing that a DOT rule was violated. Despite my attempts to have the issue corrected, the MRO refused. I have the signed medical report,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 11, 2025

What happened to you is deeply troubling, and it’s completely understandable to feel angry and hurt. Reporting a positive drug result without actually conducting a test or verifying a DOT rule violation isn’t just unethical—it could be legally actionable. A false report that affects your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Libel & Slander, Contracts, Real Estate Law and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Landlord falsely accusing and harassing over rent payments, seeking rights in TN.

I am dealing with a difficult situation with my landlord who owes money for work done on other properties and refuses to pay. He has falsely accused my husband and me of being con artists and thieves, claiming we haven’t paid our rent. In March, I paid the rent via Zelle, which I have documented.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 10, 2025

You’re in a really tough spot, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when someone who should act professionally is instead making false claims and crossing personal boundaries. In Tennessee, even without a formal lease, a verbal rental agreement backed by documented payments and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: How to prevent unauthorized use of my name and protect its value?

I have a Trust set up with a fiduciary who has authorized me to claim my name. My understanding is that by claiming my name, it should prevent me from effectively paying twice for properties, cars, and taxes, as my name and birth certificate have intrinsic value. However, I believe my name might be... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 5, 2025

You should begin by ensuring that your Trust documents clearly state your ownership and control over your legal name. Having a fiduciary act on your behalf means you can enforce that documentation if someone attempts to claim or use your name without permission. Keep originals of your birth... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Steps to address false accusations and blackballing as a reserve officer.

In 2023, I became a reserve police officer in another county with a badge and gun issued by an agency. A hometown officer falsely accused me of impersonating an officer and spread this lie to departments in my county and a neighboring one, affecting my ability to gain employment. In Fall 2024, I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 14, 2025

What you're going through is incredibly serious, and it’s painful to see your hard-earned credibility and career opportunities taken away by someone else’s false narrative. Being wrongly accused of impersonating an officer—when you have documentation proving your reserve status—can... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Can I sue for emotional distress from events at a college and church over 10 years ago in TN?

Over 10 years ago in Tennessee, I experienced a mental breakdown during a college class where the professor incited intense sexual rhetoric and discussed murder, causing distress to the class. I had an emotional episode and later visited a church that I felt judged me harshly. After complaining... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 7, 2025

I doubt it... 1 year SOL on personal injury actions.

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: False accusation of sexual assault on police report in TN

My half-brother lied on a police report, falsely accusing me of sexually assaulting him in Nashville, TN. I have filed a police report against him and possess evidence that proves I have never committed such a crime. This accusation has not yet led to any legal proceedings. What legal steps should... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on May 1, 2025

You should not have filed a police report if you are afraid that the alleged perpetrator will charge you. But you did so now cease talking about this incident to anyone but a TN criminal attorney. If the incident would be a felony then several years are allowed under TN SOLs for indictments and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims, Libel & Slander, Civil Rights and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Suing for defamation in a TN property rental dispute

Can you sue a manager or leasing company in small claims court for defamation and refusal to reapply to a low-income property? I initially applied in person while living in Tennessee to a property in Sevierville. The manager falsely accused me of harassment after I contacted them per HUD guidelines... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 24, 2025

It would be best to check with attorneys who practice in Tennessee, but you posted two weeks ago. In most jurisdictions, small claims divisions are limited by monetary caps, and can limit the scope of matters handled. Cases are usually straightforward and non-complex. A starting point could be to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander, Juvenile Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Personal Injury for Tennessee on
Q: Can I sue DCS in Tennessee for slander due to false s** offender claims?

I am involved in a situation where DCS in Knoxville, Tennessee, claims that I am a s** offender. However, I have never been convicted of this as an adult; only a juvenile s**-related case exists in my past. This misinformation has caused me emotional distress and personal issues, such as my... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2025

What you’re dealing with is extremely serious, and your frustration is completely valid—especially when false claims are affecting your personal life and emotional well-being. In Tennessee, slander occurs when someone makes a false and damaging spoken statement about you. If a DCS (Department... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander and Civil Rights for Tennessee on
Q: How to address social media defamation affecting my career?

I'm dealing with an ex who is making false and defamatory posts on social media concerning the death of one of my children, implicating me and slandering my character. This includes tagging my hairstylist and posting numerous times, which has affected my reputation in the medical field, where... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 24, 2025

You're facing a deeply troubling situation with these false accusations, and I understand your concern about the impact on your professional reputation. Documenting everything through screenshots is an excellent first step, as this evidence will be crucial for any legal action you might take.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Libel & Slander for Tennessee on
Q: Can TN section 29-24-101 apply to suing for derogatory terms?

I am concerned about a visiting preacher repeatedly using derogatory terms, specifically calling female college students wearing shorts or tank tops "w****s" as they pass by him. This happens every two weeks with many witnesses and video evidence documenting the events. The college and... View More

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answered on Mar 24, 2025

Tennessee Code section 29-24-101 could potentially apply to your situation with the preacher, as it makes actionable "Any words written, spoken, or printed of a person, wrongfully and maliciously imputing to such person the commission of adultery or fornication." The derogatory term being... View More

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