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originally posted by: JoshuaCox
With all the mud slinging in today's pooitical arena. It made me wonder , at what point do false accusations and free speech collide.
Shouldn't there be some accountability if you accuse some one of a horrible crime with little or no evidence.
Could a presidential canidate sue the other canidate for slander?
Could you be like "you said X. Now prove it."
Should their be criminal charges??
Say you falsely accuse some one of rape, is there no penalty?
It just seems crazy you can do things like that and then just "pass the the peas and potatoes..."
originally posted by: Cobaltic1978
originally posted by: JoshuaCox
With all the mud slinging in today's pooitical arena. It made me wonder , at what point do false accusations and free speech collide.
Shouldn't there be some accountability if you accuse some one of a horrible crime with little or no evidence.
Could a presidential canidate sue the other canidate for slander?
Could you be like "you said X. Now prove it."
Should their be criminal charges??
Say you falsely accuse some one of rape, is there no penalty?
It just seems crazy you can do things like that and then just "pass the the peas and potatoes..."
Yes, one candidate can sue the other for slander. They don't, simply because they would be counter sued.
Can they ask to prove X? I doubt it, not until the candidate has completed at least 1 term.
Criminal charges? No, these sort of things are dealt with through civil proceedings.
Accusing someone of something they didn't do is slander, something they print is libel.
Hope that helps.
at what point do false accusations and free speech collide.
originally posted by: Nickn3
Free speech under the first amendment is one thing, but a liar has no credibility.
originally posted by: verschickter
at what point do false accusations and free speech collide.
At the beginning, because "false accusations" are lies.
Some do not understand what free speech means. It means you can speak out your thoughts and not be prosecuted for the content... IF it´s the truth and not offensive against others. Simple as that.
Contrary to what most think, spreading lies and calling someone an asshole is not covered by free speech. Free speech does not mean you are free to say anything you like.
originally posted by: Picklesneeze
a reply to: JoshuaCox
I feel the same way-there should be consequences-especially when someone accuses someone of racism/being a racist.
I seem to notice that is left off of your list.
originally posted by: TinfoilTP
I predict a busy overloaded court system in the near future with all the SJW millenials suing frivolously for micro aggressions. A smart youth would invest their time in a law degree, one could get filthy rich without ever winning a case.
Being a racist isn't a crime in the first place..
originally posted by: verschickter
a reply to: JoshuaCox
No, that´s the stateattorney raising the charges about "false report". You are free to join him in a civil case and sue the crap out of the individum. It´s up to you to sue him and if there is already a case open, chances are great it will be granted.
Being a racist isn't a crime in the first place..
Correct. But let´s leave aside the "fellony" and "crime" markers and concentrate on a guy standing at the market, shouting racial slurs, you could be sued for disturbing public peace, at least. There is a point where this also becomes a crime, in terms of prison time.
At least that´s how it is in germany, don´t know about the US.
originally posted by: enlightenedservant
a reply to: JoshuaCox
Look up the 2 words "libel" and "slander". However, once people are in the public eye (aka "famous"), it becomes a lot harder to sue for these. Famous people usually have to prove a material loss in order to win (such as, someone's slander caused them to lose an endorsement deal, hurt their public image and sales, etc).
originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: JoshuaCox
We throw false accusations around here daily.
Would you want a censored ATS?