- 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.
Maryland Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character Keywords: Maryland, Cease and Desist Letter, Libelous, Slanderous Statements, Defamation of Character Description: A Maryland Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements is a legal document used to address and rectify false statements or damaging claims made about an individual or entity's reputation. Libel refers to false statements in written form, while slander refers to false spoken statements. Defamation of character occurs when these false statements harm a person's reputation, causing damage to their personal or professional life. This type of letter is typically sent by the affected party or their legal representative, warning the individual or entity responsible for making false statements to immediately cease any further publication or dissemination of defamatory information. The letter serves as a formal request and a warning that legal action may be pursued if the offensive statements are not retracted or removed. Types of Maryland Cease and Desist Letters for Libelous or Slanderous Statements — Defamation of Character: 1. Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous Statements: This type of letter is specifically designed to address false written statements that are damaging to someone's reputation. It is sent to individuals or entities who have published defamatory information or false accusations through written materials such as articles, blog posts, online forums, or social media platforms. 2. Cease and Desist Letter for Slanderous Statements: This type of letter is aimed at addressing false spoken statements that harm an individual's reputation. It is typically sent when someone has made defamatory remarks about another person during conversations, interviews, public speeches, or any other form of oral communication. 3. Cease and Desist Letter for Defamation of Character: This type of letter encompasses both libelous and slanderous statements. It can be used when someone has made false statements about an individual or entity in both written and spoken forms, causing damage to their character, reputation, or business interests. The main goal of a Maryland Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements is to request the immediate cessation of spreading false information or damaging statements, as well as seeking a retraction or removal of these statements. By taking legal action or threatening to do so, the affected party aims to protect their reputation and seek compensation for any harm caused by the defamation.
