Is slander against the law in the US?
Asked by: Therese Dicki | Last update: September 18, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (13 votes)
If someone has defamed you, you can sue them for slander. Since it falls under tort law, you can pursue your case in civil court and seek monetary damages. You must bring proof of the defamation. It's a good idea to bring witnesses, including the person or people to whom the statements were made.
Is slander illegal in the US?
Defamation is a statement that injures a third party's reputation. The tort of defamation includes both libel (written statements) and slander (spoken statements). State common law and statutory law governs defamation actions, and each state varies in their standards for defamation and potential damages .
Is slander considered a felony?
In modern society, libel or defamation is primarily a civil claim, although once upon a time, it was a criminal offense and could be prosecuted by the government. Punishments ranged from a fine to imprisonment.
What proof do you need for slander?
In a slander lawsuit, you have to prove the following: The defendant spoke a false statement of fact. The untrue statement does not fall into any privileged category. The defendant acted negligently or intentionally in making the statement.
Are defamation cases hard to win in the US?
Winning a defamation case can be quite challenging because it requires a lot of investigation and evidence, which can be costly.
Defamation, Slander & Libel Explained by an Employment Lawyer
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.
Is insulting someone illegal in the USA?
While most insults and even some threats are not illegal on their own, certain types of verbal abuse may give you grounds for a civil lawsuit.
How much does it cost to sue someone for slander?
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.
What can I do if someone is slandering me?
Send a cease and desist letter for defamation
Still, a well-written letter from a reputable law firm is often enough to get a defamatory statement deleted or retreated. Even if some damage has already been done, a cease and desist letter can prevent further negative consequences.
Can you sue someone for talking bad about you on the internet?
Yes. Many insurance companies are now offering media liability insurance policies designed to cover online libel claims.
At what point can you sue someone for slander?
Slander refers to a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation, as opposed to libel which is written or published. To successfully sue for slander, you must be able to prove that the statement was false, it was spoken as though it were true, and it has caused you some kind of harm or damage.
What isn't considered slander?
Most opinions offered by one person about another aren't considered libel or slander in the United States. That changes if the comment is untrue and hurts the reputation or financial well-being of a person or business. That kind of opinion isn't protected under the free speech provisions of the U.S. Constitution.
Can I file a defamation lawsuit without a lawyer?
A defamation case is a serious legal action, which means you'll want an expert defamation lawyer to help present your case. Furthermore, you'll need one who understands the complexities the age of the Internet has introduced to these kinds of cases.
What is the punishment for slander?
The Basics of Defamation Law
The government can't punish a person for defamation because it's not a criminal offense. Defamation is a tort cause of action, however. This means a person can file a civil lawsuit against someone if they suffer injury because of that person's defamatory statements.
Can someone sue you for calling them a name?
It's important to understand that name-calling, under certain strict circumstances, can damage one's reputation seriously and thus be actionable as a Dignitary Tort.
What is the burden of proof for slander?
In an action for slander, the plaintiff must prove special damages, namely proof of actual pecuniary loss, unless the statement complained of falls into one of the four “per se” categories of defamation requiring no proof of special damage: allegations that (1) plaintiff committed a crime, (2) are likely to cause ...
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.
What are the consequences of slandering someone?
Legal consequences of slander often involve civil lawsuits, where the plaintiff may seek damages for reputational harm. Awards can vary, with some cases resulting in compensatory and punitive damages to deter future slanderous acts.
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.
Is it worth suing someone for defamation?
The answer is, yes, it is worth suing for defamation. When a true case of defamation exists, there are damages that are caused as a result. Those damages are compensable through a civil lawsuit, in California and beyond.
Can I sue someone for bad mouthing me?
In some situations, when a person feels that they have been harmed by someone's statements about them, s/he may be able to bring a civil lawsuit for defamation, sometimes known as slander (when the statement is spoken) or libel (when the statement is written).
How often are slander cases won?
Floyd Abrams, a New York lawyer who specializes in representing media organizations, estimates that individuals who sue for libel win about 75 percent of the cases that end up before a jury. But the media succeed in reversing jury verdicts most of the time after they appeal to higher courts.
Can I sue someone for yelling at me?
For instance, if the yelling is threatening violence, or is done in a way where the listener fears for their physical safety, there may be a case for legal action. Not only is the act of making a threat of violence illegal in every state, but it can also lead to civil torts.
Is it against the law to talk bad about someone?
In fact, it is illegal to make statements about someone that you know are blatantly false. This act is referred to as slander. If the subject of the slander and their reputation suffer because of your actions, you may be taken to court. And you may have to pay monetary damages if the person can prove defamation.
Is cursing a crime in the US?
Generally, cursing in public is not an illegal offense. However, there are some instances where you still could be charged with disorderly conduct when cursing. This includes: If your language incites violence.