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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    18

    Default Defamation on a National TV Show

    This took place in the city/state of: Los Angeles, CA

    Where to start, well i was being sued by my ex-gf for the amount of 4,321 for unpaid rent and a 2,500 loan. As soon as the lawsuit was filed in our VA court, the show "Judge Joe Brown" called her and offered for us both to be on the show.

    They said they would pay the decision of the arbitration(the 4.3k) plus give us an apperance fee and a full expense paid to L.A for 3 days including food taxis etc. Everything was going well until we went into studio. They asked me to lie(I was the defendant) about my story and i told them i wouldn't.

    Side Story: I have been on probation 6 years and never broken it once, and have cleaned up my life.

    Back to the Real Story: We get into the "courtroom" and the judge wont let me speak, he hears her side of everything, then says its my turn, upon opening my mouth he immediately shoots me down, when i raise my voice louder than his he raises his louder, its quicky turns into a big shout battle which i finally get the picture that he's not gonna let me talk so i shut up and just give up cause they are paying us and I dont want to ruin the opportunity to be rid of my ex-gf's lawsuit.

    Anyway, he picks up a stack of paper which he points out if my driving record and criminal record. And its HUGE, i mean HUGE, bigger than the actual one(yes i know what mine looks like), and immediately starts pointing out things that are false, reading off my charges and driving history...

    He goes as follows:
    3 accounts breaking and entering(i only have 1)
    8 accounts grand larceny(i only have 1)
    3 probation violations(i have 0)
    MANSLAUGHTER(wtf? when did i kill someone)
    Conspiracy
    Burglary
    4 Assault and Causing bodily harm(i have none)

    The case goes on im getting more and more mad i start saying there is no manslaughter or half the crap you just said man... He goes on to call me a lier and say that I am the worst possible scum on the face of the earth, beats his hammer and says she wins.

    This was the most embarrasing day of my life... 300 people in a room(some paid actors some directors camera men etc.) all laughing at me because the judge "owned me" and im a horrible guy obviously and a murderer...

    It hasn't aired yet, and im not sure if i have a case until it does air. I believe i do have a case if it airs, but my question is both, do i have a case if it airs? and do i have case if it doesn't air?

    Ive been googling around and it seems he has a long history of people being mad after going on that show... as well as 1 lawsuit for 7,500 because he told a guy he was using money to buy a prostitute when he wasn't.

    Thanks for listening, and sorry for the wall-of-text.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Tv Show Defamation on National Show

    it doesn't have to air to have a suit. The people in the room heard it.

    so, yes, it does sound as if you have a case. Winning won't be easy and damages may not be much but if you are willing to pay a lawyer a lot of money, it sounds like you have a fair suit.

    So, to get a taste of real life, contact a few lawyers to see what they might see this case as being worth and how much they think it might cost. If you come out ahead, make your decision as to what you want to do.

    I don't know much about those shows but I would believe there is some contract you signed before appearing. You might want to read that very closely before you go any further. Obviously those shows are more about entertainment than the law so I would not be surprised to find some clause that allowed Joe to say all the bad things he want to say about you with no recourse available to you.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Officially across the country from where I've been all my life
    Posts
    4,494

    Default Re: Tv Show Defamation on National Show

    In my jurisdiction, those cases are BINDING ARBITRATION, and the parties are required to sign a request for dismissal before appearing on the show - requesting the case be dismissed WITH PREJUDICE.

    Oh, and yes, in that arbitration agreement, you give up a WHOLE LOT OF RIGHTS... you may want to go back and read it thoroughly.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Defamation on a National TV Show

    thanks for the quick responses, i have read the arbitration agreement, and i may be missing the part where it says i cannot sue them basically or do anything in return back for something done wrong to me on the show... i will read it for a 3rd time tomorrow morning, but im 99% certain it said nothing of the sort, im honestly more worried about it being aired on national TV that i have a charge for manslaughter(which is a lie), than those people i dont know in that room. As long as it doesn't air like that ill be fine.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Key West, FL
    Posts
    2,350

    Default Re: Defamation on a National TV Show

    You can be certain that whatever you signed covers their butts from any civil action. I also seriously doubt, even if there is a loophole, you will find any attorney that will take the case on a contingency and obviously the production company will be able to spend you into the ground.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Defamation on a National TV Show

    Ok, it just aired today, and the judge said i have a charge for manslaugher which is totally false on national TV, i have already gotten 23 friend requests on facebook.com saying they saw me on judge joe brown and want to be my friend now... i need to know some good lawyers to contact.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Defamation on a National TV Show

    Holy cats. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

    We don't do lawyer referrals here - out of the 55K or so members, only about 20 of us answer with any frequency, and we're all laypeople.

    For a referral, contact your local Bar Association.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Defamation on a National TV Show

    dang, and I missed it today.

    is this you?

    http://www.judgejoebrown.com/week.php (in the little video clip)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Defamation on a National TV Show

    Yes the one on monday's page video clip... the one with the dumb look on his face.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    1,948

    Exclamation Re: Defamation on a National TV Show

    Just from that clip - it certainly seemed to me that you had a previous charge of manslaughter against you. If that is not true you should certainly hire an attorney!

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