Basic Overview of Libel

• Libel does not equal liable

• Criminal v. civil libel

• Libel per se (presumed to be libelous)--accusations of criminality, disease, sexual immorality, attacks in a trade

• Libel per quod (must be proven to be libelous because of context)

• Chaplinsky v. NH (1942)--no Constitutional right to utter libelous statements

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