libsln.htm -- Is Libel a Crime?

[aga]

On Mon, 27 Jan 1997, jim bell wrote:

> At 01:14 AM 1/27/97 -0600, ichudov at algebra.com wrote:
> 
> >I am not sure if you posted this information in response to my request
> >to cite a statute that would prove that libel is a crime.
> >
> >Me> Jim Choate wrote:
> >Me> > 
> >Me> > 
> >Me> > 
> >Me> > Are you aware that attributing statements in print to a party when that
> >Me> > party did not write them is a crime?
> >Me> 
> >Me> cite the statute
> >
> >
> >These postings do not prove that libel is a crime. It is because libel
> >is not a crime. Libel is a tort, and unlike with crime, the government
> >cannot initiate a legal action against someone for libel. Only injured
> >(libeled) individuals and not the government can sue in a libel case.
> 
> On the contrary, in some jurisdictions libel is indeed a crime. However, 
> that doesn't mean that prosecutions happen anymore, but the laws are (in 
> some places) still  on the books.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Jim Bell
> jimbell at pacifier.com
> 

Jim, either you are full of shit or that Law is VERY
unconstitutional.  The first amendment prohibits any Criminal Laws
from being made against libel.

Being able to defame somebody is clearly within Freedom of speech.
The only thing that is illegal in this Country is any speech proposing
the killing of any President, and we can live with that.  Nothing else
is ever prohibited by the Criminal Law.

Your only remedy for defamation of any kind is a civil Lawsuit.

-DrG,Esq.
esq at pgh.org
by/aga.bot/telnet