What is the definition of legal slander, or libel, and how does one prove it?
Basically, a false statement that’s written or printed–that’s for libel. If it’s slander (spoken or oral), you need to prove actual monetary damages from the false statement. Unless it’s slander per se, then you don’t need to prove monetary damages (called special damages) if the defendant said the plaintiff commited a crime, has an std, is bad at his or her business or profession, or had sexual misconduct. Oh, and the truth is the ultimate defense against slander/libel. If it’s true, it isn’t slander. So, for it to be slander you would have to prove that the statement or whatever was false.
Slander is false statements spoken, and libel is false statements written. To prove it, you have to show that 1) the statements were made, and 2) they were false. In order to get damages, you have also show that the statements caused you measurable harm; damages will then attempt to compensate for the harm caused.
