defamation claim (Montana) · Go Syfert
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defamation claim in Montana

9 Montana opinions name it 1 courts 1993–2025 2 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Montana courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (4)

CaseFollowedCited
Sapper v. Sappergreen
connappct · 2008 · cited in 1 Montana opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025See also Hale, ¶ 29 (stating a factual basis for the statement in question that would have precluded a defamation claim); Sapper v. Sapper, 951 A.2d 5 , 8 n.3 (Conn. App. Ct. 2008) (“Raising a claim of bias on the part of a judge against a particular party is a serious business and should not be undertaken without a sound basis in the record.”). ¶88 In applying these principles to the challenged statements in Yagman, the Ninth Circuit first examined the charge of antisemitism.

11
Story v. City of Bozemangreen
mont · 1990 · cited in 1 Montana opinions naming this issue, 2021–2021
2 sentences

2021See Story v. Bozeman, 242 Mont. 436, 440-41 , 791 P.2d 767, 769-70 (1990) (Story I).

2021See Story v. Bozeman, 242 Mont. 436, 440-41 , 791 P.2d 767, 769-70 (1990) (Story I).

11
Citizens First National Bank v. Moe Motor Co.green
mont · 1991 · cited in 1 Montana opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
2 sentences

2015Citizens First Nat’l Bank of Wolf Point v. Moe Motor Co., 248 Mont. 495, 501 , 813 P.2d 400, 404 (1991).

2015Citizens First Nat’l Bank of Wolf Point v. Moe Motor Co., 248 Mont. 495, 501 , 813 P.2d 400, 404 (1991).

11
In Re Petition of Graygreen
mont · 1995 · cited in 1 Montana opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006Cf. In re Petition of Gray, 274 Mont. 1, 2 , 908 P.2d 1352, 1352 (1995). ¶45 Accordingly, we hold that the District Court did not err in granting summary judgment to the Bar on O’Neil’s defamation claim.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Montana. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (7)

CaseCitedYears
Chase v. Bearpaw Ranch Ass'n green
mont · 2006
2 sentences

2008The District Court correctly concluded that Blue Ridge could recover attorney fees for all legal work performed on its behalf except that performed for the defamation claim. ¶80 The Theins finally argue that Chase v. Bear Paw Ranch Ass’n, 2006 MT 67 , 331 Mont. 421 , 133 P.3d 190 , precluded the District Court from granting Blue Ridge attorney fees that it had expended for establishing the amount of reasonable attorney fees.

2008The District Court correctly concluded that Blue Ridge could recover attorney fees for all legal work performed on its behalf except that performed for the defamation claim. ¶80 The Theins finally argue that Chase v. Bear Paw Ranch Ass’n, 2006 MT 67 , 331 Mont. 421 , 133 P.3d 190 , precluded the District Court from granting Blue Ridge attorney fees that it had expended for establishing the amount of reasonable attorney fees.

22008–2008
Stavenjord v. Montana State Fund green
mont · 2006
2 sentences

2008Stavenjord v. Montana State Fund, 2006 MT 257, ¶ 21 , 334 Mont. 117, ¶ 21 , 146 P.3d 724, ¶ 21 .

2008Stavenjord v. Montana State Fund, 2006 MT 257, ¶ 21 , 334 Mont. 117, ¶ 21 , 146 P.3d 724, ¶ 21 .

22008–2008
Standing Committee on Discipline of the United States District Court for the Central District of California v. Stephen Yagman green
ca9 · 1995
1 sentence

2025Yagman, 55 F.3d at 1438 .

12025–2025
Skinner v. Pistoria green
mont · 1981
2 sentences

2009Concerning McLeod’s defamation claims, the court held that under Skinner v. Pistoria, 194 Mont. 257 , 633 P.2d 672 (1981), and § 27-1-804(2), MCA, the statements in Hoell’s complaints were privileged publications because they were made to the proper authorities responsible for investigating complaints about appraisers and imposing any necessary sanctions.

2009Concerning McLeod’s defamation claims, the court held that under Skinner v. Pistoria, 194 Mont. 257 , 633 P.2d 672 (1981), and § 27-1-804(2), MCA, the statements in Hoell’s complaints were privileged publications because they were made to the proper authorities responsible for investigating complaints about appraisers and imposing any necessary sanctions.

12009–2009
State v. Barth green
mont · 1995
1 sentence

2006Cf. In re Petition of Gray, 274 Mont. 1, 2 , 908 P.2d 1352, 1352 (1995). ¶45 Accordingly, we hold that the District Court did not err in granting summary judgment to the Bar on O’Neil’s defamation claim.

12006–2006
Madison v. Yunker green
mont · 1978
2 sentences

1996Rather, the statute requires not only a showing of truth but also a showing that the alleged defamatory matter “is communicated for good motives and for justifiable ends.” In Madison v. Yunker (1978), 180 Mont. 54, 67 , 589 P.2d 126, 133 , this Court adopted the defamation standard set forth in New York Times.

1996Rather, the statute requires not only a showing of truth but also a showing that the alleged defamatory matter “is communicated for good motives and for justifiable ends.” In Madison v. Yunker (1978), 180 Mont. 54, 67 , 589 P.2d 126, 133 , this Court adopted the defamation standard set forth in New York Times.

11996–1996
St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance v. Thompson green
mont · 1967
2 sentences

1993Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company v. Thompson (1967), 150 Mont. 182 , 433 P.2d 795 , and numerous decisions from other jurisdictions.

1993Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company v. Thompson (1967), 150 Mont. 182 , 433 P.2d 795 , and numerous decisions from other jurisdictions.

11993–1993

Where else courts name it

TX 331 (1985–2026) CA 209 (1970–2026) NY 154 (1983–2026) OH 135 (1990–2026) IL 106 (1988–2026) MI 93 (1987–2025) WA 66 (1980–2026) LA 65 (1985–2023) MN 57 (1985–2026) NJ 56 (1960–2026) MA 54 (1980–2026) PA 51 (1986–2026) ME 42 (1984–2024) FL 41 (1981–2025) GA 34 (1998–2025) AZ 34 (1976–2026) IN 33 (1982–2026) DE 32 (1988–2026) OR 31 (1990–2026) DC 27 (1991–2026) CO 26 (1985–2026) VA 26 (2002–2026) KY 25 (2005–2025) NC 25 (1994–2026) NV 23 (1993–2026) WI 21 (1983–2024) AL 20 (1988–2023) TN 19 (1999–2024) UT 17 (1983–2025) NM 17 (1989–2024) SC 17 (1997–2026) MO 16 (1996–2025) MS 16 (1986–2018) MD 16 (1985–2026) AK 15 (1982–2022) CT 15 (1993–2024) IA 15 (1982–2026) ND 14 (1993–2024) OK 13 (1987–2014) HI 10 (1996–2025) ID 10 (1992–2024) VT 9 (2005–2025) MT 9 (1993–2025) WV 9 (1984–2022) VI 8 (1998–2026) NE 7 (2015–2024) RI 7 (1998–2012) KS 7 (2010–2026) SD 6 (1994–2025) AR 3 (1979–2017) NH 2 (2015–2019) WY 2 (1999–2020)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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