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Threats via email

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zddoodah

Active Member
If he is arrested and seek a civil suit for slander or defamation of character what can I expert?
Not sure what "seek a civil suit" might mean. Nor is it at all clear why you might even remotely be concerned about this. You told us that all of the threats have been in writing, so what exactly do you think a defamation lawsuit might be based on?

In any event, if a lawsuit is filed against you, you'll need to defend against it. If you failed to mount a defense, you would be at risk of having a default judgment entered against you. However, proving up a default judgment in a defamation case would be exceedingly difficult.

He is on SSI and SSDI as well.
As well as what?

Should I just talk to a lawyer, find someone who works pro bono who can help me?
Some (but not all) lawyers will occasionally take a case on a pro bono basis, but there is no such thing as a lawyer "who works pro bono (the exception being lawyers who work for agencies like the ACLU and are paid a salary to represent clients in matters that the agencies deem worthy).
 

LdiJ

Senior Member
Not sure what "seek a civil suit" might mean. Nor is it at all clear why you might even remotely be concerned about this. You told us that all of the threats have been in writing, so what exactly do you think a defamation lawsuit might be based on?

In any event, if a lawsuit is filed against you, you'll need to defend against it. If you failed to mount a defense, you would be at risk of having a default judgment entered against you. However, proving up a default judgment in a defamation case would be exceedingly difficult.



As well as what?



Some (but not all) lawyers will occasionally take a case on a pro bono basis, but there is no such thing as a lawyer "who works pro bono (the exception being lawyers who work for agencies like the ACLU and are paid a salary to represent clients in matters that the agencies deem worthy).
Slight deviation from the subject...Aren't there some states where all attorneys are required to do some number of hours of pro bono work annually? Or do I have that wrong?
 

zddoodah

Active Member
Aren't there some states where all attorneys are required to do some number of hours of pro bono work annually? Or do I have that wrong?
According to this article, as of November 2020, "[n]o state currently requires pro bono work as a requirement to keep an active law license, but several states do require attorneys to report any pro bono hours they may complete."
 

DisabledGeek89

Junior Member
The civil stuff is regarding previously posted things about me. He posted untrue things about on YouTube protraying as a pathetic creepy man-child. Some was of a suggestive nature, I am also wondering due to that addition to slander or defamation of character if I could get him for sexual harassment as well.
 

zddoodah

Active Member
The civil stuff is regarding previously posted things about me. He posted untrue things about on YouTube protraying as a pathetic creepy man-child. Some was of a suggestive nature, I am also wondering due to that addition to slander or defamation of character if I could get him for sexual harassment as well.
Sexual harassment is an employment matter. If you think you might want to sue, consult with a local attorney to review the evidence.
 

quincy

Senior Member
Slight deviation from the subject...Aren't there some states where all attorneys are required to do some number of hours of pro bono work annually? Or do I have that wrong?
The offering of pro bono services is encouraged for all attorneys by all State Bars. Many (if not all) of the large law firms throughout the country will require that their attorneys engage in a certain number of pro bono cases/hours per year.

Certainly this is true in Michigan, where the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly states: “All active members of the State Bar of Michigan should participate in the direct delivery of pro bono legal services to the poor ...” This participation by a Michigan attorney, however, can come in the form of monetary contributions to not-for-profit legal service programs (like legal aid clinics).

See: https://www.michbar.org/programs/probonomanual/pbmsection1

If searching for free legal assistance, a person can contact legal aid clinics in their area, their State Bar organization and/or they can call the large law firms in their area and ask for the firm’s pro bono representative/intake attorney.
The civil stuff is regarding previously posted things about me. He posted untrue things about on YouTube protraying as a pathetic creepy man-child. Some was of a suggestive nature, I am also wondering due to that addition to slander or defamation of character if I could get him for sexual harassment as well.
The problem you have with a defamation lawsuit is that you apparently are looking at suing a man who has insufficient assets to satisfy any judgment that might be awarded.

If you spend a lot of money pursing a defamation claim (and defamation suits are notoriously expensive legal actions to pursue), you might win your suit but you will find it hard to collect damages. You may wind up with just a (costly) moral victory.

I think you are smart to contact a legal aid organization for a personal review.
 

DisabledGeek89

Junior Member
Another question, a friend who is still my friend got threats via text from the same person, should just file a separate police report?
 

DisabledGeek89

Junior Member
Hate to post in a thread this old but a video made by my ex friend was brought to my attention. While no threats where made it did mention me a few times. I have a no contact order against him. Does this apply in anyway me and my case manager are trying to determine that.
 

Zigner

Senior Member, Non-Attorney
Hate to post in a thread this old but a video made by my ex friend was brought to my attention. While no threats where made it did mention me a few times. I have a no contact order against him. Does this apply in anyway me and my case manager are trying to determine that.
Report it to the police.
 

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