June 03rd, 2022

Take Aways from the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard Defamation Circus.

1. Yes, both sides can lose and win (huh?). A jury has found both liable for defamation in their lawsuits but awarded significantly more damages to Johnny Depp. The jury awarded Johnny $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million dollars in punitive damages. The jury awarded Amber $2 million in compensatory damages and no money for punitive damages. Bring in the clowns.
2. You can still be sued for defamation even if you don’t name names. Amber wrote an article for The Washington Post in which she described herself as a victim of domestic abuse. Johnny wasn’t named in the article but claimed it cost him lucrative acting roles. Amber countersued, of course.
3. You are not protected by the First Amendment (Freedom of Speech) if you write or speak falsely.
4. Sometimes the Court of Public Opinion is louder that the legal courts (and maybe right). Amber was ridiculed cruelly on social media.
5. Revenge is not reason enough to write an article aimed at getting even.

Keep this in mind the next time you want to pen an article criticizing your ex.
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