How to escape risk of libel when informing employers of a criminal that went unreported
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How to escape risk of libel when informing employers of a criminal that went unreported
If you know someone committed a serious crime before and they remain unreported, can you send a note to their employer to warn them? It wouldn’t be libel since it was true, but the courts do not know it is true yet.Not to say I don’t have faith in the judicial system, but If the crime committed was in the past and there is likely a lack of evidence, they could possibly rule innocent and then the note would be considered libel. No victim would make up a story of the kind I heard. False accusations are usually when the accuser has a specific motivation such as money or revenge. If someone
Asked on May 25, 2009 under Personal Injury, New Jersey
Answers:
B. B., Member, New Jersey Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Your question is just a little too cryptic to answer. You haven't said what crime was committed, how long ago, and how you know about it, to begin with. You also haven't explained what work the person who committed this crime is doing, and why his employer should be warned.
You've got the important understanding here: while truth is indeed a defense to libel, it has to be proved, and there are times when it can be very hard to prove what you know -- or think you know.
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