Can the police do anything about slander on Facebook?

Asked by: Cordie Spencer  |  Last update: May 16, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (62 votes)

Defamation on Facebook is generally a civil matter, not a criminal one. That means you can't press charges or send someone to jail over it. However, you can sue the defamer in court and recover monetary damages for the harm they caused.

What can I do if someone is slandering me on Facebook?

You can complain to Facebook about the defamatory statements, for all the good it might do. Otherwise, if you can prove that the business knows the statements to be false and is making them with malice (Ie the intent to materially damage you), that's libel and you have some legal remedies available to you.

Can you press charges for slander on social media?

Negative statements about people or companies appear frequently on social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook. If they are false statements of fact, they can be considered defamation in some circumstances, or more specifically libel because they are written statements.

Can you call the police for Facebook harassment?

What should I do if someone is harassing me on Facebook? Remember that, in any case, it is always important to document and take screenshots of the episode of harassment, as this could be useful in any future investigation. If you feel you're in immediate danger, contact the police or your local authorities.

What proof do you need for slander?

To prove prima facie defamation, a plaintiff must show four things: 1) a false statement purporting to be fact; 2) publication or communication of that statement to a third person; 3) fault amounting to at least negligence ; and 4) damages , or some harm caused to the reputation of the person or entity who is the ...

Should You Report Slander on Facebook to the Police?

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Is it worth suing for slander?

In general, pursuing a defamation lawsuit may be worthwhile if: The defamatory statement(s) are demonstrably false and have caused significant harm to your reputation or career. You have strong evidence to support your claim. The potential damages are substantial enough to justify the costs and risks of litigation.

What legally qualifies as slander?

Slander is the legal term used to describe false statements made by one party against another. The subject of slanderous statements can pursue legal action against the slanderer(s). Slander can be hard to prove, as the complainant must show the slanderer was driven by malice and knew their claims were false.

Can police investigate Facebook accounts?

Police will need a warrant if they want to obtain authenticated copies of the suspect's social media information.

Can you press charges for harassment on Facebook?

Unfortunately, there is no certainty of legal punishment for abusive or hateful conduct. If you are experiencing online abuse, you can file a report with local law enforcement. If you feel you are in immediate danger, however, dial 9-1-1.

What happens when you file a police report for harassment?

Evidence will be reviewed by whomever is assigned to do so. Further investigation may be necessary. Once the evidence is reviewed, a decision will be made to file charges against the accused or find that there is not enough evidence to pursue charges.

Can I sue Facebook for emotional distress?

Can I sue Facebook for emotional distress? If your child (or you, when you were under 18) was diagnosed with a mental condition connected to Facebook use and addiction, you may be able to sue for emotional distress. There are many different harms claimed in social media lawsuits, including emotional distress.

What to do if someone is slandering you?

Call a Lawyer. If you believe you have been a victim of slander, then you can file a defamation suit and get damages. But slander claims are complicated and very detailed. An experienced defamation attorney can help you with your legal issue and determine whether you can bring a defamation suit.

Is it illegal to talk bad about someone online?

The California legislature passed a law in 2008 which makes it illegal to post harmful information on the internet. Penal Code 653.2 states it is a crime to post about other people on the internet in a way that will cause them harm.

Can you go to jail for slander on Facebook?

Defamation on Facebook is generally a civil matter, not a criminal one. That means you can't press charges or send someone to jail over it. However, you can sue the defamer in court and recover monetary damages for the harm they caused.

Can you sue someone for false accusations on Facebook?

Yes, you can sue someone for slander on social media, but proving the case can be very challenging at times as you will need a lot of evidence and backup from your lawyers. Naturally, it is much easier for politicians or celebrities with powerful legal teams to win a case than for private figures.

What is the difference between slander and defamation?

Libel and slander are both types of defamation. Libel is an untrue defamatory statement that is made in writing. Slander is an untrue defamatory statement that is spoken orally. The difference between defamation and slander is that a defamatory statement can be made in any medium.

Can Facebook report you to the police?

We may also supply law enforcement with information to help prevent or respond to fraud and other illegal activity, as well as violations of the Facebook Terms and Instagram Terms.

How do I report someone slandering me on Facebook?

The best way to report abusive content or spam on Facebook is by using the Report link near the content itself. Below are some examples of how you can report content to us. Learn more about reporting abuse.

Can Facebook be used against you in court?

Can Text Messages, Emails, Or Facebook Posts Be Used To Prove Threatening Actions Against Me In Court? If investigators try to get a Facebook user's private posts or direct messages as evidence, they have to request it from the company via a warrant or subpoena. In most cases, Facebook will grant the details.

Do courts check your social media?

The prosecution does not need to obtain a search warrant to seek this information – instead, they can simply go on social media and copy the information. There are not privileges that might apply to exclude the content, such as the attorney-client privilege.

Do police monitor Facebook?

Police may monitor social media platforms like Facebook for various types of information. They often look for signs of criminal activity, such as posts or comments indicating involvement in illegal actions like drug trafficking, violence, or gang affiliations.

Can police trace Facebook messages?

In some cases, they can get a warrant to unlock a person's phone. In other cases, they have approached Facebook directly and served a warrant on the company itself. The company will then turn over the contents of the Facebook messages to the proper authorities – with or without that person's phone.

How hard is it to sue for slander?

Suing for slander can be challenging as, unlike libel, slander is verbal defamation and can be tough to prove. Claimants also have to prove that the individual committing slander was deliberately or negligently untruthful.

How to handle someone who slanders you?

If you're confident that you are indeed dealing with an instance of online defamation, there are several steps you can take to remedy the situation.
  1. Do Nothing. ...
  2. Collect Evidence. ...
  3. Get a Lawyer. ...
  4. Send a Cease and Desist Letter. ...
  5. Publish Your Own Statement. ...
  6. Sue for Defamation.

How much does it cost to sue someone for defamation?

However, a “retainer” is not what a defamation case costs. The average cost of a defamation lawsuit at Minc Law typically ranges from $15,000 to $25,000. Some defamation lawsuits are resolved for less, while others may be more costly, depending on the unique facts of each situation.