I guess

[onee]

What is the name of your state? MI

From what I am gathering about libel is that you have to have a lot of money to sue the author of a book. Therefore, the average income person basically has "no leg to stand on" when they are characterized falsely in a novel?

 

[suey]

Yeh!! That is pretty much the way it works!! Libel related suits are for the "Rich"! That is why many times the defendant in a such case will be forced to settle outside of court. Normally by the advise of their attorney. So in the end the Rich win! The Poor Lose!!
It best to not place yourself in a position where you could be sued to begin with!!

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state? MI

From what I am gathering about libel is that you have to have a lot of money to sue the author of a book. Therefore, the average income person basically has "no leg to stand on" when they are characterized falsely in a novel?

In what way were you "characterized falsely"?

 

[fairisfair]

were you identified by name, or in a manner that makes it obvious that you are the one being portrayed in the book? What are your damages?

 

[onee]

I am not the one mentioned in the book. The author uses the person's first and last name and the city in which he/she resided. The first paragraph of the chapter (the chapter is a page and a half) opens with the person's name and places the person in jail in the city (residing) when the person gives the statement to the police. This is false. The book is a "true story" account taken from testimony and police statements. The person requested the statement via FOIA. Where the author gets most of his material and his use of quotes is unknown. Most of it is not in the FOIA statement. The author makes the reader assume that this character is as bad as the main characters of the book. As for damages, there are no monetary damages. The damages are to the person's character, reputation, and having people think that the person is something he/she are not.

 

[andrew070]

You speak of damages. Damaging one's good name and future reputation are serious. When you look at the whole picture. No amount of money can repair a reputation or good name they once may have enjoyed. I do feel taking legal action may send a message and deter someone else from engaging in a slander campaign...

 

[BelizeBreeze]

You speak of damages. Damaging one's good name and future reputation are serious. When you look at the whole picture. No amount of money can repair a reputation or good name they once may have enjoyed. I do feel taking legal action may send a message and deter someone else from engaging in a slander campaign...

And your LEGAL basis for this crap?

 

[mlane58]

The truth hurts doesn't it?