I pissed of this one lady somewhere by calling here a bunch of names, and she said she expects a public apology from me or else she'll sue me for libel. Is it possible to sue a 17 year old for that? Also, the website below may help answer the question. I'm tyrone70 and the lady who I annoy is Adrenalynn. Please look and help me out. If I can avoid apologizing to her, I will.
http://www.imvu.com/catalog/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpbb2&file=viewtopic.php&t=36013&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=240
2006-09-15 07:59:04 · 7 answers · asked by kyle_tyrone 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
ADDED: for the record, I didnt insult her for no reason. We have been back and forth for a while now and I just so happened to be the first one to explode.
2006-09-15 08:13:38 · update #1
The specific answer to your question may turn on the applicable state law. But generally there is no bar to suing you (as a minor child for torts) such as libel and slander. It's with respect to breach of contract claims for which you generally cannot sue a minor.
Most likely, your scurrilous lady neighbor will have to serve the complaint on both you and your parents or guardian. Different states have different rules regarding how to execute service of process on the a defendant minor.
Unless your parents knew in advance of your tendency toward libelous pontifications (and even then I doubt it), they probably will not be liable for your libel. Again, different states have different rules as to when--and if--you can impose liability on a parent for the torts of his or her child.
But remember, it costs money to initiate a lawsuit. And it costs time. I seriously doubt you are at risk of being sued (but I've been wrong before). Moreover, she would need to prove damages to make her case (this may not be strictly true if you called her a whore or attacked her professional/business reputation). Finally, you can simply point out that truth is an absolute defense to libel (there are other torts involving oral attacks where truth is not a defense, but you asked about libel).
Good luck.
2006-09-15 08:42:42 · answer #1 · answered by MBH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to be sued for libel. If you called a lady "a bunch of names" you owe her an apology. Do the right thing whether it's legal or not.
2006-09-15 08:11:25 · answer #2 · answered by DelK 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would have attorney look over the document. The judge may not wanted the ruling used this way. You probably have a better chance to get a restraining order against him than winning a lawsuit. The lawsuit will be expensive and most attorneys will want front money to pursue it as there may not be a huge award if you do win.
2016-03-27 02:34:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She can't sue you for Libel (Libel is written). If you called her those names in fromt of someone else, she may be able to sue you vis a vis your parents for slander.
2006-09-15 09:14:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You didn't cause her any financial harm by any lies you told. Insulting someone isn't libel anyway. The parents of minors can be sued.
2006-09-15 08:14:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
she is probably just trying to scare you, does she even know who you are. maybe the best bet is to apologize for offending her. That way you are not saying that you are wrong just that you didn't mean to offend her.
2006-09-15 08:02:51 · answer #6 · answered by Joy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YES
2006-09-15 09:00:56 · answer #7 · answered by frankalan9999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋