Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Maryland

Freedom of Speech vs Slander

I recently sent a letter exposing the lies someone told. I have proof to back everything I wrote, and can provide that as needed.

I recently received a letter from this persons attorney asking that I stop sending the letter because it was a violation of his clients privacy. The attorney also sent a copy of the letter to my father who was in no way involved in the letter I sent out. The envelope was addressed to my father, but the letter was addressed to me. If there is such privacy law, wouldn't the attorney have violated mine by sending the letter to my parents?

Where is the line drawn with freedom of speech? As long as I am not saying anything false about this person, am I not entitled to tell what I know given my right to freedom of speech?

Thank You Very Much!!!


Asked on 1/05/06, 10:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: Freedom of Speech vs Slander

The answer is, it depends.

The "freedom of speech" is not absolute. It is limited. Is the person you wrote about a public figure or a private person? If it's a public figure, you have more right to speak about them. If it's a private person, even if what you write is true, you could be violating the person's right to privacy (the tort is called 'intrusion upon seclusion'). All of that depends upon what you wrote about the person.

Without more information about what you wrote, and about whom, I can't answer more specifically.

I have no idea why the letter was addressed to your father. Are you a minor or an adult?

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Answered on 1/06/06, 1:33 am


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