California Defamation Laws

Defamation can bring a person to shame.

Defamation by California standards puts this offense into two categories. A person can be defamed in written form or in spoken form. Several rules and requirements are enforced in regards to defamation laws in California.

Libel

Libel is defined as an untrue publication by various ways, such as writing or through print or photo, which brings ridicule upon a person and causes him to be publicly mocked or avoided. It often exposes the victim to acts of hatred as well.

Slander

Slander is untrue and orally spoken material against a person, such as over a radio station. Falsely claiming a person is guilty of a certain crime, or claiming that someone has a certain contagious disease, are examples of this.

Proof

California has certain requirements that must be met in order to successfully prove defamation. For example, at least one person besides the victim must be a witness to the damaging statements. The victim may also be required to prove that the defamatory statements made against her are not true.

References

• Elinfonet: Defamation in California