What does Slander refer to in legal terms?

Slander refers to spoken false statements that harm a person's reputation. In legal contexts, slander specifically involves making defamatory remarks verbally, which can lead to damage to the individual's character, credibility, or standing in the community. Unlike written defamation, which is categorized as libel, slander focuses on the spoken word and the immediacy of its dissemination.

This distinction is crucial because the legal implications and the burden of proof may differ between slander and libel cases. For slander, the plaintiff typically must demonstrate that the spoken statements were not only false but also damaging, and in some instances, that the defendant acted with a certain level of fault, such as negligence or actual malice, depending on the status of the person affected (public figure vs. private individual).

Understanding this definition helps in grasping broader concepts of defamation law, particularly the significance of the medium through which damaging statements are made, and the legal protections that exist surrounding free speech versus the protection of an individual's reputation.