TITLE 9

Courts and Civil Procedure–Procedure Generally

CHAPTER 9-6

Pleadings

SECTION 9-6-9



   § 9-6-9  Truth as defense to libel or

slander. –

In every action or proceeding, civil or criminal, for libel or slander, the

defendant may, with his or her plea of not guilty or his answer, file a written

notice that he or she will prove the truth of the publication charged as

libelous, or of the words charged as slanderous, and in such case may, upon the

trial, give the truth in evidence, without any special plea of justification or

affirmative defense in his or her answer; and the truth, unless published or

uttered from malicious motives, shall be sufficient defense to the person

charged.



History of Section.

(C.P.A. 1905, § 286; G.L. 1909, ch. 288, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 338,

§ 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 520, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 9-6-9; P.L. 1965, ch.

55, § 16.)