Can you press charges for someone slandering you on Facebook?
Asked by: Lafayette Quigley | Last update: December 18, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (42 votes)
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.
Can the police do anything about 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 charge someone for slander on Facebook?
Bringing a lawsuit against someone for something they said on Facebook is no different than any other type of slander case. The plaintiff must prove the above elements. On Facebook, the slanderous comments would need to be in the form of a video or livestream, as written comments on Facebook would be considered libel.
What to do if someone is defaming you on Facebook?
Take screenshots of all defamatory comments and posts regarding yourself that they have shared publicly or privately with others. Once you have sufficient evidence, you can consider sending a cease and desist letter demanding that they stop making such statements immediately.
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.
What to Do If You Are Being Slandered or Libeled on Facebook
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 ...
Can you go to jail for slander UK?
Slander is not a criminal offences and so as libel. This means that you cannot go to jail for making false or damaging statements about someone. The person you have defamed may be able to take civil action against you if they can prove that your statements have caused them harm.
What can I do if someone is slandering me?
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 expose someone on social media?
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 I sue Facebook for emotional distress?
Individuals who qualify for Facebook mental health lawsuits may be entitled to damages to cover economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses may include things like medical and therapy costs, while non-economic losses may include your pain and suffering and emotional damage.
Can you press charges for someone talking about you on Facebook?
Can you sue for defamation of character on Facebook? The answer is yes, but you have to prove the elements that define defamation of character. Defamation of character in any form can irrevocably destroy the personal and/or professional reputation of another person.
How to stop someone from talking bad about you legally?
If you're the subject of slanderous or libelous statements, a cease and desist letter can make the recipient retract what they've been saying or publishing. Your letter should ideally state the specific defamatory statement, the reasons why it is untrue, and the damage you're suffering.
What is considered slander?
Slander represents any form of defamation that is communicated verbally. Defamation occurs when someone's words cause harm to another person's reputation or livelihood. A statement must be presented as fact, not opinion, to be considered slander. The statement must be made to a third party. 1.
What is considered slander on Facebook?
Slander refers to false spoken statements or oral communication that can damage someone's reputation and usually involves verbally made statements to a third party through spoken words or gestures. Libel refers to written or otherwise fixed false statements that can harm someone's reputation.
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.
Can you go to jail for slandering someone's name?
Written defamation is called "libel," and spoken defamation is considered "slander," and they both fall under "defamation." In the US, defamation is not usually a crime. Instead, it is a "tort" or civil wrong. Under the law, a person who has been defamed can seek damages from the perpetrator.
Can I sue someone for defaming me on social media?
In the United States, defamation is considered a “tort” or civil wrong under state law. Victims of online defamation can sue the poster for damages in civil court. While there is no federal defamation law, defamation is recognized as an exception to First Amendment protections of free speech.
Is it illegal to post screenshots of conversations on Facebook?
That could be viewed and an invasion of privacy and both you and your common friend could potentially get in trouble, both as a violation against Facebook policy, but possibly legal action as well.
What can you do if someone is posting about you?
In the first instance, depending on the circumstances and the nature of the information, you may wish to initially make a report to Facebook/Twitter (before contacting the police/Citizens Advice/a solicitor), as these sites have processes in place for such situations, and may be able to simply remove the content and/or ...
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.
Can you sue someone for false accusations?
Can You Sue A Person for Making False Accusations? You can pursue a lawsuit against a person who has made false accusations about you by either suing for defamation or for malicious prosecution.
How can I defend myself against slander?
Opinion as a Defense to Libel and Slander
A defendant can win if a reasonable person would believe that their defamatory statements were statements of opinion. In making an opinion, a defendant should not act with: Reckless disregard for the truth; or. Actual malice against the plaintiff's reputation.
How to handle someone who slanders you?
- Do Nothing. ...
- Collect Evidence. ...
- Get a Lawyer. ...
- Send a Cease and Desist Letter. ...
- Publish Your Own Statement. ...
- Sue for Defamation.
How do I prosecute for slander UK?
The law of slander says that in most cases, you have to prove that you have suffered actual financial loss as a result of the slander, as well as serious harm to your reputation. This is different from libel claims, where you are only required to prove that you have suffered serious harm to your reputation.
What proof do you need for defamation of character?
To prove defamation, you must determine that the statement can easily be described as false, published, harmful, or unprivileged. It's imperative to show that you have been the victim of inevitable negative defamation consequences, such as decreased income, loss of money, or tarnished reputation.