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Simple English definitions for legal terms
slander per se
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A quick definition of slander per se:
Slander per se is a type of spoken defamation that is so harmful that the person who said it can be sued without having to prove that the statement caused any specific harm. This type of slander includes accusations of committing a serious crime, having a contagious disease, doing something that would hurt someone's business or profession, or being sexually promiscuous. Other types of slander may require the person who was harmed to prove that they suffered specific damages as a result of the statement.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Slander per se is a type of slander that does not require proof of actual damages because it involves statements that are so harmful that they are considered inherently damaging.
For example, if someone falsely accuses another person of committing a crime involving moral turpitude, such as theft or fraud, that would be considered slander per se. Similarly, if someone spreads rumors that a person has a sexually transmitted disease or has engaged in unchaste behavior, that would also be considered slander per se.
The reason why slander per se is treated differently from other types of slander is that the harm caused by these statements is so severe that it is assumed that the victim has suffered damages without needing to prove them in court.
Overall, slander per se is a serious form of defamation that can have significant consequences for both the victim and the person making the false statements.