7. Civil Liability

What is civil liability?

• The responsibility to not harm others or their property

• The right to vote in elections

• The ability to make new laws

• The right to own property

What is a tort?

• A type of dessert

• A crime that always leads to jail

• Failing in your duty to not harm other people or their property

• A reward for good behavior

If you intentionally damage someone else’s property, who may be held responsible for paying for the damage?

• Your teacher

• Your parent or guardian

• Your neighbor

• Your friend

Which of the following is an example of defamation?

• Helping someone with homework

• Writing or saying something false that harms someone’s reputation

• Playing a sport

• Cleaning up a park

Imagine you are under eighteen and want to sue someone. What is one way the court can help you?

• The court will ignore your case

• The court will appoint an adult called a “next friend” to help you

• The court will make you pay a fine

• The court will send you to jail

What must happen for you to be held liable for defamation?

• You must write or say something about another person with the intention to negatively affect their reputation.

• You must only think something negative about another person.

• You must compliment another person in public.

• You must ignore another person completely.

Which of the following is a defense to defamation?

• Telling the truth

• Ignoring the person

• Making up stories

• Spreading rumors

What does the First Amendment of the United States Constitution state?

• The government can’t keep you from saying or writing what you want.

• The government can control everything you say.

• The government can only let you speak at home.

• The government can punish you for any opinion.

Why is it important to identify the person you are talking about when writing or saying something negative?

• Because it must damage the person’s reputation for it to be considered defamation.

• Because it makes your story more interesting.

• Because it helps you remember their name.

• Because it is required for all conversations.

Imagine you are writing a story about someone and you want to avoid getting into trouble. What should you do to make sure you are not liable for defamation?

• Make sure what you say is true and does not damage their reputation unfairly.

• Write anything you want, even if it is false.

• Never mention anyone’s name.

• Only write positive things, even if they are not true.