Slander/defamation

[bev1234]

MISSISSIPPI

A high scholl administrator called my husband in for a conference. He said our son was the member of a drinking club and was paying $10 on Wednesday nights to go drinking. This is not true. The club is a club that does community service. My son's character was put in question due to the administrator's statements. Can we file a civil suit against him?
The administrator just recently wrote on a form that our son had a marajuana seed in his truck. The county sheriff and school superintendent said the administrator could not put that in writing because he could not prove it to be true. The adminstrator did put it in writing and posted it on the school website called Active Parent. Again we would like to know what our legal rights are because our son's reputation has be damaged greatly.

 

[seniorjudge]

Hire a lawyer specializing in this area of the law to see what can be done.

 

[quincy]

I think seniorjudge is right in that you will probably have to speak with a lawyer in Mississippi to figure out the best course of action, if any.

Certainly saying, and posting, that your son drinks and does drugs is defamatory if false. And claims such as this can affect a child's chances of obtaining employment or going to college if the comments made are widespread and believed by others to be true.

As a parent of this boy, however, I would want to make absolutely postively without-a-doubt sure that there is no truth behind the administrator's claims, before spending thousands and thousands of dollars on a slander and libel suit. If there was any drinking of any kind at any time connected with this club, and if your son has ever used marijuana, or has friends that do, you will have an extremely hard time in court.

 

[bev1234]

The Accusations Are False And Have Proven To Be False. The Superintendent Had The Admistrator Retract His Accusations. However I Have Copies Of His Accusations That He Put In Writing. Why Is It Ok For A School Administrator To Verbally Slander Students? As Parents Shouldn't We Have Rights To Protect Our Children. Accusations Have Been Made About Several Students. One Student Was Put In Iss Because The Administrator Said He Smelled Like Beer. The Student Was Drug Tested And The Test Came Back Clean. Our Children's Reputation And Character Had Being Attacked. These Students Have Never Even Had A Note Sent Home Saying They Were Talking In Class.

 

[quincy]

It isn't okay for a school administrator to defame students. The retraction that the school superintendant requested of the administrator will mitigate any damages awarded in a defamation action, but a retraction does not eliminate the harm done to the reputation of the students and, therefore, does not eliminate a damages award should you win a case against him.

A defamation action is expensive, and it will take a long time to work its way through the court system, and there is no guarantee you will win such a suit. But you seem to be sure that what the administrator said about the students is false. In that case, I would speak with an attorney in Mississippi and see if a case against the school administrator is worth pursuing.

Good luck.