Is defamation a criminal offense?

In North Carolina, defamation is not considered a criminal offense. Defamation is a civil wrong, meaning a victim can pursue a civil lawsuit against someone who has defamed them. Defamation is when a person dishonors another person’s reputation through either false statements of facts or false opinion that harms the person’s reputation. These false statements are usually published or expressed in some way that can reach the public, such as speaking them aloud, writing them on a website, or printing them in a newspaper. In North Carolina, a plaintiff in a defamation lawsuit needs to prove that false statements have been made that would hurt their reputation, and that those statements were made to a third party. The plaintiff must also prove that they suffered some kind of harm due to the statements, such as suffering a loss of business or financial hardship. If the plaintiff is successful in their lawsuit, those found responsible for defamation can face civil penalties including paying the plaintiff’s legal costs, damages for potential losses, and possibly punitive damages. Punitive damages are given when the person responsible for defamation acted with malicious intent. Defamation is not a criminal offense in North Carolina; however, the consequences of making false statements can be significant if the plaintiff wins their civil lawsuit.

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Is defamation a criminal offense?

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