Slander or Defamation?

[Jroyalty83]

What is the name of your state?MI
I just finished a civil ppo trial, the trial turned in my favor and the ppo is dropped. the respondant pujerd herself on the stand and she was caught. She has been going around telling people that i had assualted her and that i continuously lie to people. She has gone as far as to say that i have raped her even though the trial for it is all over and in my favor. Is it slander or defamation?What is the difference and how do i go about it ?

 

[Emerger]

I am not a lawyer, but I will give you some legal advice: Talk to a lawyer.

As for non-legal advice, to help with your question, as much as I can, there are two forms of defamation: libel and slander. Look them up in the dictionary.

Libel is a false statement printed (or communicated through the media) about someone, slander is a false statement said about someone. File a slander complaint in small claims court. See if it gets you anywhere. It probably won't, but it will at least kill some time.

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state?MI
I just finished a civil ppo trial, the trial turned in my favor and the ppo is dropped. the respondant pujerd herself on the stand and she was caught. She has been going around telling people that i had assualted her and that i continuously lie to people. She has gone as far as to say that i have raped her even though the trial for it is all over and in my favor. Is it slander or defamation?What is the difference and how do i go about it ?

While you are doing your research, look into privilege; stuff that is told to the cops or put into court documents is generally considered privileged.

If you had absolutely no contact with this person and these lies are being spread, then you may want to consider a malicious prosecution suit. See a lawyer.

However, if the evidence was in your favor and you were found not guilty, that is a different matter. "Not guilty" does NOT mean "innocent"!

So what did she say you did?

What do you say you did?

 

[meganproser]

Emerger, I don't know of any state that allows a defamation claim in small claims.

The OP can check this out for MI, but I don't think they will hear this particular tort.