What is Criminal Defamation?

There is also a criminal defamation offence under the criminal law of Australia. It is criminal defamation when a person issues a defamatory information in public regarding another person to stigmatize his/her reputation despite knowing that the information is false and does this intentionally to harm the other person. In this situation the person with a reputation at stake can file the case for defamation.

The person who believes that his reputation is tarnished is called a ‘victim’. A ‘publisher’ is a person who publishes a notorious statement. One person commits a crime if he/she publish something wrongfully that dishonors the person, whether it is right or wrong.

Claiming for defamation?

You can file a claim against defamation if you have suffered losses due to a tarnished reputation. In Western Australia the victim is given a years’ time to claim against the publisher under the law of borders. In some extenuating circumstances, the limitation period can be extended. One cannot bring a defamation claim against the deceased person.

Offer to improve and apologize

One of the main objectives of adopting uniform law was to provide non-disputed remedies for defamation. In Western Australia, if one harms someone’s reputation, an amendment is a quick way of resolving a defamation dispute.

If you publish something offensive, it is a good idea to always apologize, for forgiveness purposes; an apology cannot be considered as proof, but it can reduce the amount of compensation paid.

If you need legal help, then contact our defamation lawyer Perth, we would be happy to help.