Alabama Private Investigator Practice Exam

Under Alabama law, what crime is committed by someone who publishes false accusations against a private citizen?

1. Criminal surveillance

2. Defamation

3. Slander

4. Libel

The correct answer is: Defamation

Under Alabama law, the act of publishing false accusations against a private citizen is categorized as defamation. Defamation is a broad legal term that encompasses both slander and libel. Slander refers specifically to spoken false statements that damage someone's reputation, while libel pertains to written or published defamatory statements. The selection of defamation as the correct answer recognizes that it covers both forms of false communication intended to harm an individual's reputation. This ensures that the law provides protection to individuals against false assertions, whether they are made verbally or in writing. In this context, identifying defamation as the applicable crime is crucial. While slander and libel are relevant terms under the umbrella of defamation, they are more specific and may not encompass all scenarios involving false accusations against a private citizen. Thus, recognizing defamation captures the broader scope of the offense as defined by Alabama law.