Explore 18 court opinions on Substantial Truth Defense In Defamation. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
18 recent cases analyzed in this topic area.
Appellate court reverses summary judgment in defamation case over "felon" and "drug dealer" claims
Lynum v. Smith, decided by Florida District Court of Appeal on April 24, 2026, resulted in a plaintiff win outcome. The plaintiff, Lynum, sued the defendant, Smith, for defamation after Smith publishe...
Statements about felony conviction and disbarment were substantially true
Rose v. Stein, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on April 15, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Rose, sued the defendant, Stein, for defamation after Stein published statements ...
Defamation claim fails for lack of evidence of falsity and malice
Girard v. Adovasio, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 23, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Girard, sued the defendant, Adovasio, for defamation, alleging that Adovasio...
Statements Found to be Opinion or Substantially True, Defamation Claim Fails
Evans v. Gardner, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on March 2, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Evans, sued the defendant, Gardner, for defamation after Gardner posted alleged...
Court Affirms Dismissal of First Amendment Challenge to Political Surveillance
Karl Rabenhorst v. Kristi L. Noem, decided by Seventh Circuit on December 22, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Karl Rabenho...
Eleventh Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Defendant in Defamation Case
Eboni Williams v. Gerald Shapiro, decided by Eleventh Circuit on December 15, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to...
Court Dismisses Defamation and Emotional Distress Claims Against Defendants
CHRISTOPHER PIKE v. MATTHEW DIVRIS & Another, decided by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on November 18, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Christopher Pike, sued the defen...
Statements of opinion and substantial truth are not defamation
Toelke v. Williams, decided by Ohio Court of Appeals on November 5, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Toelke, sued the defendant, Williams, for defamation after Williams posted...
NC Court Rules on Defamation Claims and First Amendment Protections
Long v. Fowler, decided by North Carolina Supreme Court on October 17, 2025, resulted in a mixed outcome. The plaintiff, Long, sued the defendant, Fowler, for defamation after Fowler posted allegedly ...
Fourth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment in Defamation Case
John Moretti v. Helga Thorsdottir, decided by Fourth Circuit on October 15, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the...
Appellate court affirms defamation judgment for defendant
Urban v. Blewitt, decided by Illinois Appellate Court on September 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Urban, sued the defendant, Blewitt, for defamation, alleging that Blewit...
Defamation plaintiff fails to prove falsity of statements, loses appeal
Benjamin Schoenthal v. Eileen O'Neill Burke, decided by Seventh Circuit on September 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary ju...
Ohio Court Rules on Defamation Claims Involving Online Statements
Golub v. Werren, decided by Ohio Supreme Court on August 21, 2025, resulted in a mixed outcome. The plaintiff, Golub, sued the defendant, Werren, for defamation after Werren posted allegedly false and...
Officer's actions reasonable, qualified immunity granted
Mary Herkert v. Frank Bisignano, decided by Fourth Circuit on August 14, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the de...
Former Employee's Defamation Claim Against Employer Fails
Elizabeth Goldberg v. Television Tower, Inc., decided by Fourth Circuit on August 1, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgme...
Court Dismisses RICO Lawsuit Against Energy Transfer Over Climate Change Claims
Energy Transfer LP (formerly known as Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.), et al., Appellants, vs. Greenpeace International ..., decided by Minnesota Supreme Court on July 16, 2025, resulted in a defendant ...
Defamation suit over social media posts results in mixed ruling
Lyons, J. v. Arpin, D., decided by Pennsylvania Supreme Court on June 23, 2025, resulted in a mixed outcome. The plaintiff, Lyons, sued the defendant, Arpin, for defamation after Arpin posted allegedl...
Statements on business not defamation if opinion or substantially true
Hwang v. Cairns, decided by North Carolina Supreme Court on May 23, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Hwang, sued the defendant, Cairns, for defamation after Cairns posted alle...