Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Defamation and Libel

Is stating in a letter to a property management company that a neighbor is a ''heavy drinker'' defamation? Note that when the letter was written (and now), the drinking habits of our neighbor are assumed to be true.


Asked on 6/29/09, 5:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: Defamation and Libel

Keep your renter's insurance up to date.

The term "heavy drinker" is vague. And if true it's not defamatory. And most drunks would rather spend money drinking than suing. Nonetheless, if you have a drunk for a neighbor, wait until he or she turns up the volume real loud, or has a domestic dispute, and call the cops. You can't be sued for making accusations to the police.

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Answered on 6/29/09, 6:01 pm


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