Prepare for the Alabama Private Investigator Exam with our comprehensive resources. Access quizzes and study materials that will help you understand the requirements and succeed on your test. Gain the knowledge you need to excel in your career as a private investigator.

Practice this question and more.


What must a person do to commit the crime of defamation?

  1. Be aware of the truth

  2. Knowingly make a false statement

  3. Act in good faith

  4. Remain silent

The correct answer is: Knowingly make a false statement

To commit the crime of defamation, a person must knowingly make a false statement. Defamation involves making untrue statements about another person that can harm their reputation. The essential element here is the intentionality behind the falsehood; it requires that the person making the statement does so with knowledge that it is not true or with reckless disregard for whether it is true or false. This understanding establishes the foundational requirement that the statement must be false, as truth is a complete defense to a defamation claim. Being aware of the truth, acting in good faith, or remaining silent do not align with the definition of defamation, as they do not involve the act of making a false statement that would injure another person's reputation.