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slander :: legal definition


Slander - n. oral defamation, in which someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another, which untruth will harm the reputation of the person defamed. Slander is a civil wrong (tort) and can be the basis for a lawsuit. Damages (payoff for worth) for slander may be limited to actual (special) damages unless there is malicious intent, since such damages are usually difficult to specify and harder to prove. Some statements, such as an untrue accusation of having committed a crime, having a loathsome disease or being unable to perform one's occupation, are treated as slander per se since the harm and malice are obvious and therefore usually result in general and even punitive damage recovery by the person harmed. Words spoken over the air on television or radio are treated as libel (written defamation) and not slander on the theory that broadcasting reaches a large audience as much as if not more than printed publications.

See also: defamation fair comment and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

administrator :: n. the person appointed by the court to handle the ... e also: administer executor probate
care :: n. in law, to be attentive, prudent and vigilant. ... she is involved. See also: careless
contributory negligence :: n. a doctrine of common law that if a person was i ... : comparative negligence negligence
dangerous weapon :: n. any gun, knife, sword, crossbow, slingshot or o ... igence and possibly win a judgment.
defamation :: n. the act of making untrue statements about anoth ... comment libel public figure slander
disfigure :: v. to cause permanent change in a person's body, p ... . See also: damages general damages
fair comment :: n. a statement of opinion (no matter how ludicrous ... amation libel public figure slander
fictitious defendants :: n. when a party suing (plaintiff) is not sure if h ... are not permitted in federal cases.
fraud :: n. the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some ... audulent conveyance intrinsic fraud
gift in contemplation of death :: n. (called a gift causa mortis by lawyers showing ... ift tax unified estate and gift tax
hit and run :: n. the crime of a driver of a vehicle who is invol ... , and then walks back to the scene.
injury :: n. any harm done to a person by the acts or omissi ... nction injunctive relief negligence
innuendo :: n. from Latin innuere, "to nod toward." In law it ... See also: defamation libel slander
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
legal aid society :: n. an organization formed to assist persons who ha ... bar association. See also: pro bono
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
malice :: n. a conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a ... cution murder public figure slander
negligence :: n. failure to exercise the care toward others whic ... gence per se res ipsa loquitur tort
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
notice :: n. 1) information, usually in writing in all legal ... Thirty-day notice three-day notice
notice to quit :: n. the notice given by a landlord (owner) to a ten ... h-to-month notice unlawful detainer
nuisance :: n. the unreasonable, unwarranted and/or unlawful u ... evening). See also: public nuisance
person :: n. 1) a human being. 2) a corporation treated as h ... amages. See also: corporation party
power of attorney :: n. a written document signed by a person giving an ... y, as in a real estate transaction.
product liability :: n. the responsibility of manufacturers, distributo ... e known. See also: warrant warranty
promissory note :: n. a written promise by a person (variously called ... lso: interest obligee obligor usury
property damage :: n. injury to real or personal property through ano ... l value. See also: damages property
public figure :: n. in the law of defamation (libel and slander), a ... See also: defamation libel slander
publication :: n. 1) anything made public by print (as in a news- ... so: defamation libel notice slander
rape :: 1) n. the crime of sexual intercourse (with actual ... See also: date rape statutory rape
reputation :: n. a person's good name, honor or what the communi ... See also: defamation libel slander
retraction :: n. 1) to withdraw any legal document in a lawsuit ... igation. See also: defamation libel
self-defense :: n. the use of reasonable force to protect oneself ... ndalism. See also: assault homicide
service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service
spontaneous exclamation :: n. a sudden statement caused by the speaker having ... et hit the girl." See also: hearsay
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death
transferred intent :: n. in both criminal and tort (civil wrong) law, wh ... hit upon Truehart. See also: intent
vicarious liability :: n. sometimes called "imputed liability," attachmen ... r or policeman. See also: liability

Popular Law Searches

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what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
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Other Law Terms - S

said :: adj. a reference back to a thing that was previous ... automobile in a negligent manner."
sale :: n. transfer of something (and title to it) in retu ... contract forced sale sheriff's sale
salvage :: 1) v. to save goods. 2) n. payment to a person or ... which saves cargo from a shipwreck.
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
satisfaction :: n. receiving payment or performance of what is due ... n contract satisfaction of judgment
satisfaction of judgment :: n. a document signed by a judgment creditor (the p ... ord. See also: abstract of judgment
satisfaction of mortgage :: n. a document signed by a lender acknowledging tha ... id off the debt. See also: mortgage
save harmless :: v. 1) also called hold harmless, to indemnify (pro ... . See also: hold harmless indemnify
savings and loan :: n. a banking and lending institution, chartered ei ... vings into the home finance market.
scienter :: n. Latin for "having knowledge." In criminal law, ... ents were lies and thus fraudulent.
scintilla :: n. Latin for "spark." Scintilla is commonly used i ... ark) upon which to base a judgment.
scope of employment :: n. actions of an employee which further the busine ... ter and servant respondeat superior
scrivener :: n. a person who writes a document for another, usu ... r practicing law without a license.
seal :: n. a device which creates an impression upon paper ... e "sealed," but that is rare today.
sealed verdict :: n. the decision of a jury when there is a delay in ... reconvenes. See also: jury verdict
sealing of records :: n. trial records and decisions which a judge order ... eep the terms from public scrutiny.
search :: v. 1) to examine another's premises (including a v ... e search and seizure search warrant
search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant
search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
second degree murder :: n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an a ... t degree murder manslaughter murder