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.
Defamation Template With Example In Michigan
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Defining Defamation in Michigan In short, the offended party must prove a defamatory statement was made within one year of when the statement was made, why it is false, and if the statement is defamatory and the plaintiff seeks damages based on the per se or pro quod standards.
A defamatory statement must be an assertion of fact, not an opinion. For example, if your boss says that you are not a very nice person, then that statement is likely to be an opinion. On the other hand, if your boss says you have been stealing from the company, that is a statement of fact, not opinion.
For example, if someone spreads a false rumor about a person's professional conduct that leads to job loss or social stigma, it qualifies as defamation. Another example could be a newspaper publishing false claims about a celebrity's behavior that results in loss of endorsements.
How to Write a Cease and Desist Defamation Letter Identify the false statements: Clearly outline the defamatory remarks and where they were made. Describe the harm: Explain how the statements have affected your reputation or career. Request retraction: Demand the removal of defamatory content or a formal apology.
Defamatory words — that is, words which defame — are words that can cause real damage. If someone said you were a secret unicorn hunter, that would be a silly, not defamatory, lie. If someone said you were a thief or a traitor, and you weren't, that would be defamatory.
To damage the reputation of a person or group by saying or writing bad things about them that are not true: Mr Turnock claimed the editorial had defamed him.
THEREFORE, you are hereby requested to immediately cease and desist illegal defamation, slander and/or libel and within 10 business days, return the signed written assurance below affirming that you will refrain from any further acts of defamation, slander and/or libel with regards to my character and/or reputation.
How to Write a Cease and Desist Defamation Letter Identify the false statements: Clearly outline the defamatory remarks and where they were made. Describe the harm: Explain how the statements have affected your reputation or career. Request retraction: Demand the removal of defamatory content or a formal apology.
In short, the offended party must prove a defamatory statement was made within one year of when the statement was made, why it is false, and if the statement is defamatory and the plaintiff seeks damages based on the per se or pro quod standards.
To win a defamation case, public officials and public figures must prove—with clear and convincing evidence—that the speaker or writer knew what they were saying was false, or published the statement with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity. (See Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2911(6) (2025).)
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Michigan Cease and Desist Defamation Letter. Complete Your Defamation Cease and Desist Letter in Minutes with PDFSimpli.Subject Line: Begin the letter with a subject line that clearly states its purpose. For example, "Cease and Desist Harassment" or "Notice to Stop Defamation." Download your free cease and desist defamation letter template here to stop someone from making comments that damage your reputation. Michigan Legal Help has tools to fill many kinds of forms but we do not cover all areas. You may have a blank form that you need to fill out on your own.
