Is it illegal for the local newspaper to have your name and crime in the paper saying you are charged with a felony before you were actually charged with the crime and have not yet received any summons or court papers? Plus the statements in the paper were not even correct.
Anyone have any good answers or websites to check? Thank you!
2006-10-28 18:00:00 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It varies from state to state, but generally you have to give the paper an opportunity to correct errors. If they don't, then sue them for libel.
2006-10-28 18:09:22 · answer #1 · answered by sam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if it is true they do! If however as you say the person has NOT been charged you can sue them for libel or defamation of character.
Basically they are publishing lies. But if the person has been charged they can print that and if they are convicted. However if no charges have been laid and the paper prints that they have. That is an outright lie. However, if the paper issues a full apology in an issue of the paper you can't sue them. (well you could but you probably wouldn't win)
Your best advice would be to consult a lawyer. If the person is you or someone you know I wish you luck.
2006-10-29 01:16:41 · answer #2 · answered by tjinjapan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's legal here in Oregon.. Some of these small town news papers have nothing to write about. So there is a whole page of police reports, court reports, who's in jail and for what. Ya..LOL reading about a cop being called to a major crime scene "2:00 AM dead cat in the road" ect.
2006-10-29 01:13:14 · answer #3 · answered by mr.longshot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally newspapers or reporters are careful to ad "Alleged" to wrongdoing charges. A charge is not a verdict, but if you were only charged, the paper can write accurately that you were charged.
Also because of the "Freedom of the press" under the constitution, reporters in this country can ABUSE this freedom and get by.
2006-10-29 01:10:39 · answer #4 · answered by Daystar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋