Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Re: Lawsuit: Defimation of Character?

First of all, defamation is not a criminal charge (this question is erroneously posted to the criminal law section), but rather a tort or civil wrong. A crime is where a fine or imprisionment is at stake. A tort is a civil wrong.

Second, when you send a message to a message board like the "Answer Man" board, the whole purpose is to take questions from people (like you) and post the question (like yours) and answer them (like he did). You sent the information and he simply posted what you wrote to a forum that is for that express purpose, and answered your question(s).

In the law of defamation there is a general social policy denying recovery for conduct that the plaintiff (person suing)has given his consent to(sending the question to the Answer Man board) and there is absolute immunity to the person (Answer Man) who publishes the information the plaintiff himself invited or instigated (sending your question(s)).

Any damage to one's reputation in such cases where a person invited or instigated the publication of his or her words is protected by the privilege of consent.