A form of publication which tends to cause one to lose the esteem of the community is defamation. This is injury to reputation. A person can be held liable for the defamation of another. In order to prove defamation, the plaintiff must prove:
- that a statement was made about the plaintiff's reputation, honesty or integrity that is not true;
- publication to a third party (i.e., another person hears or reads the statement); and
- the plaintiff suffers damages as a result of the statement.
Slander is a form of defamation that consists of making false oral statements about a person which would damage that person's reputation. If one spreads a rumor that his neighbor has been in jail and this is not true, the person making such false statements could be held liable for slander.
Defamation which occurs by written statements is known as libel. Libel also may result from a picture or visual representation. Truth is an absolute defense to slander or libel.
Some statements, while libelous or slanderous, are absolutely privileged in the sense that the statements can be made without fear of a lawsuit for slander. The best example is statements made in a court of law. An untrue statement made about a person in court which damages that person's reputation will generally not cause liability to the speaker as far as slander is concerned. However, if the statement is untrue, the person making it may be liable for criminal perjury.
If a communication is made in good faith on a subject in which the party communicating it has a legitimate right or interest in communicating it, this communication may be exempt from slander liability due to a qualified privileged.
The following form letter demands that someone cease making libelous or slanderous statements, or appropriate legal action will be taken.
Making False Statements In Houston
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Houston
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US-00423BG
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Stalking. (D) feel harassed, terrified, intimidated, annoyed, alarmed, abused, tormented, embarrassed, or offended. (4) federal law.
Clearing the Record If possible, talk to your attorney about expunging the accusation from your legal and public record. This can help protect your future opportunities, whether personal or professional.
If you are being accused of a crime, please contact our law firm directly for professional representation. Stay Calm. Hire an Attorney to Help You Fight Back. Gather Evidence. Challenge the Accuser's Credibility. Find Your Own Witnesses and Present Evidence of Your Side of the Story.
If you can prove that the person made accusations they knew were false and did so to damage your career or reputation, they have committed slander. In Texas, a false accusation of a particularly serious crime, such as or , can be used as the basis of a defamation of character lawsuit.
The hearsay rule in Texas is defined under Rule 801 of the Texas Rules of Evidence. ing to this rule, hearsay is generally inadmissible unless it falls under one of the recognized exceptions.
Clearing the Record If possible, talk to your attorney about expunging the accusation from your legal and public record. This can help protect your future opportunities, whether personal or professional.
Consider seeking professional help from therapists or support groups specializing in trauma or false accusations. They are knowledgeable individuals who can provide guidance, coping strategies, and a safe space to express your emotions.
The Texas False Claims Act makes it unlawful for a person to: (1) knowingly present or cause to be presented a false claim; (2) solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any remuneration or other inducement for referrals; or (3) fail to maintain documentation to support a claim for payment in ance with the ...
Have you called the City of Houston's 3-1-1 Houston Service Center at 3-1-1 or 713.837. 0311 to report your concerns? You can also report your request online at .houston311 or download the Houston 3-1-1 app to your smartphone or tablet.
