Established in 1980, Jeremiah A. Denton III, P.C. is committed to achieving justice in the most challenging defamation cases. Our hard-hitting attorneys aggressively defend your reputation and demand compensation for the damages done to your good name by libelers and slanderers. Read our responses to frequently asked questions about defamation and then contact our office to schedule an appointment to discuss your individual case in detail.
To get the answers to your questions about defamation, call Jeremiah A. Denton III, P.C. at 757-215-4818 or contact us online to schedule an appointment
The U.S. Constitution does not protect untruthful, damaging speech. Defamation is considered an exception to the First Amendment right to free speech.
Yes, people are even entitled to express their unreasonable and inflammatory opinions, as long as they do not disguise an untruthful, defamatory, verifiable statement of fact as an opinion.
Truthfulness of the statement is an absolute defense against defamation charges. If she proves — or you admit — that the statement is true, she will likely prevail on a defamation claim.
One of the elements of slander is that the statements be published to at least one other person, so statements made only to you are not considered defamation.
Slander and libel are both forms of defamation and share most of the same elements. The primary difference between them is that slander involves oral communications, whereas libel occurs in a concrete form — such as print.
Public figures can sue for defamation, but they have a higher standard to meet than private figures. In order to prevail on your claim, you must show that the defendant acted with actual malice.
Freedom of the press is basically the same concept as freedom of speech. Defamation is an exception to this First Amendment right. Therefore, if the reporters knew or should have known that the information was false, you may have a cause of action for defamation.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has established strict guidelines for disciplining students who misuse the Internet or social media to harass or defame another student. In addition, several laws under the Code of Virginia address issues regarding cyberbullying, cyberstalking and cyberharassment. Our attorneys protect your teen from further defamation and advocate for the justice he or she deserves in the civil — and in severe cases, criminal — courts.
Our tech-savvy lawyers remain up-to-date on the laws and methods for investigating and identifying the originators of anonymous defamatory posts. If you have a cause of action for defamation, we find and sue the person responsible.