Slander By A Detective.

[LegalWithAnI]

What is the name of your state? Ga

So one of my friends was facing burglary charges today. He was let off because they had zero evidence against him. Well this detective who I'll call "Jack" has been investigating the case. Well "Jack" asks my friend if he knew where I was. My friend said "no". Jack says that hes been trying to find me and that I have warrants out for my arrest.
(My friend didn't lie. He hasn't talked to me since being charged)


I called my friend earlier today (knowing his court was today.) He told me the story. I then hung up and called my Lawyer. Unfortunately he did not pick up. I then called the County Sheriffs office and they did a warrant search and there were no warrants out for my arrest.

This did not surprise me because "Jack" has lied about me several times; including under oath in my preliminary hearing. This also wasn't a surprise because since posting bail I've been at my house 75% of the day. And there's someone at my house 24/7 so if "Jack" had actually made an attempt to find me I would have been one phone call or house visit away.

Now is the fact that hes saying I'm on the run from the law enough to press charges or sue for slander and win?

Is there anything I can do? Anything that'll scare him? Anything?

 

[Silverplum]

What is the name of your state? Ga

So one of my friends was facing burglary charges today. He was let off because they had zero evidence against him. Well this detective who I'll call "Jack" has been investigating the case. Well "Jack" asks my friend if he knew where I was. My friend said "no". Jack says that hes been trying to find me and that I have warrants out for my arrest.
(My friend didn't lie. He hasn't talked to me since being charged)


I called my friend earlier today (knowing his court was today.) He told me the story. I then hung up and called my Lawyer. Unfortunately he did not pick up. I then called the County Sheriffs office and they did a warrant search and there were no warrants out for my arrest.

This did not surprise me because "Jack" has lied about me several times; including under oath in my preliminary hearing. This also wasn't a surprise because since posting bail I've been at my house 75% of the day. And there's someone at my house 24/7 so if "Jack" had actually made an attempt to find me I would have been one phone call or house visit away.

Now is the fact that hes saying I'm on the run from the law enough to press charges or sue for slander and win?

Is it worth the tens of thousands of dollars you'll pay to see the case through? And what damages will you win? Is "Jack" a millionaire?

In other words, maybe. And in other-other words, is it worth it??

 

[LegalWithAnI]

Is it worth the tens of thousands of dollars you'll pay to see the case through? And what damages will you win? Is "Jack" a millionaire?

In other words, maybe. And in other-other words, is it worth it??

I'll be willing to spend 10K if it means ruining this mother ****ers life.

 

[Silverplum]

I'll be willing to spend 10K if it means ruining this mother ****ers life.

That's not why the law is provided.

But hey, knock yourself out.

 

[LegalWithAnI]

That handles suing him. But is it possible I can get him fired?

 

[Silverplum]

That handles suing him. But is it possible I can get him fired?

You like to play guessing games, huh?

 

[quincy]

Slander cases are very hard to win, and Silverplum is right about the expense involved. Defamation cases easily run into the tens of thousands.

Plus, in addition to proving that slanderous comments about you were actually made (which requires reliable witness testimony), you need to show that these comments damaged your reputation in some way - either in your community or at your place of employment. Comments made in court, by the way - false or not, defamatory or not - are considered "privileged", and Jack cannot be prosecuted for any lies he told during your hearing. While a court can always consider bringing contempt of court charges or perjury charges against anyone who lies in court, in reality they rarely do.

I do not think, from what you have posted, that you have any chance of bringing a successful slander suit against this detective.

If you want to "scare" Jack, however, have your attorney draft a "cease and desist" letter, advising Jack that he should stop telling lies about you. You could add to the letter that if he doesn't stop telling these lies, he could face court action - but I would only add that if you are prepared to follow through with a suit against him (which, to my way of thinking at least, would be a mistake).

 

[racer72]

Courts all the way up to the US Supreme court have ruled that police officers can lie in the course of their work. Proving damages in a case like these are almost impossible. Good luck, you will need it.

 

[quincy]

I have a feeling he will need not only good luck, but an awful lot of money. . . . and possibly a reputation that has the ability to be damaged more than it already has been by the burglary charges (or whatever he is out on bail for) against him.

 

[>Charlotte<]

I have a feeling he will need...a reputation that has the ability to be damaged

Yup. I think OP should just walk away from this one. Quietly.

 

[LegalWithAnI]

Turns out I did have warrants. They were just with the city not the county.

 

[quincy]

Ahh. So much for the slander suit and cease-and-desist letter, huh?

Good luck with everything.