malice standard (Colorado) · Go Syfert
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malice standard in Colorado

7 Colorado opinions name it 2 courts 1981–2025 2 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Colorado 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 (5)

CaseFollowedCited
McIntyre v. Jonesgreen
coloctapp · 2008 · cited in 1 Colorado opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022McIntyre v. Jones, 194 P.3d 519, 524 (Colo. App. 2008) (citing Keohane v. Stewart, 882 P.2d 1293, 1297 (Colo. 1994)).

11
Keohane v. Stewartgreen
colo · 1994 · cited in 1 Colorado opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022McIntyre v. Jones, 194 P.3d 519, 524 (Colo. App. 2008) (citing Keohane v. Stewart, 882 P.2d 1293, 1297 (Colo. 1994)).

11
Ralph J. Perk, Cross-Appellee v. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., and Eugene H. Methvin, Cross-Appellantsgreen
ca6 · 1991 · cited in 1 Colorado opinions naming this issue, 2009–2009
1 sentence

2009Actual malice may be inferred “from objective circumstantial evidence, which can override a defendant’s protestations of good faith.” Brown v. Petrolite Corp., 965 F.2d 38, 47 (5th Cir.1992); see also Fiber Systems Int’l, Inc. v. Roehrs, 470 F.3d 1150, 1170 (5th Cir.2006); Perk v. Reader’s Digest Ass’n, 931 F.2d 408, 411 (6th Cir.1991).

11
Fred G. Brown, D/B/A National Parakleen Co., and Micro-Bac International, Inc., Cross-Appellant v. Petrolite Corporation, Cross-Appelleegreen
ca5 · 1992 · cited in 1 Colorado opinions naming this issue, 2009–2009
1 sentence

2009Actual malice may be inferred “from objective circumstantial evidence, which can override a defendant’s protestations of good faith.” Brown v. Petrolite Corp., 965 F.2d 38, 47 (5th Cir.1992); see also Fiber Systems Int’l, Inc. v. Roehrs, 470 F.3d 1150, 1170 (5th Cir.2006); Perk v. Reader’s Digest Ass’n, 931 F.2d 408, 411 (6th Cir.1991).

11
Fiber Systems Intern., Inc. v. Roehrsgreen
ca5 · 2006 · cited in 1 Colorado opinions naming this issue, 2009–2009
1 sentence

2009Actual malice may be inferred “from objective circumstantial evidence, which can override a defendant’s protestations of good faith.” Brown v. Petrolite Corp., 965 F.2d 38, 47 (5th Cir.1992); see also Fiber Systems Int’l, Inc. v. Roehrs, 470 F.3d 1150, 1170 (5th Cir.2006); Perk v. Reader’s Digest Ass’n, 931 F.2d 408, 411 (6th Cir.1991).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

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

Also cited on this issue (8)

CaseCitedYears
Fry v. Lee green
coloctapp · 2013
1 sentence

2025The actual malice standard requires a showing that the publisher knew the statement at issue was false or “entertained serious doubts as to the truth of the statement or acted with a high degree of awareness of its probable falsity.” Creekside, ¶ 38 (quoting Fry v. Lee, 2013 COA 100, ¶ 21 ). 17 ¶ 35 While Hoid alleged that the news articles contained false statements, he failed to plead any allegations suggesting that FOX- 31 knew the statements were false or acted with reckless disregard of their truth.

12025–2025
Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc. v. Connaughton green
scotus · 1989
2 sentences

2009Such inquiry may also be necessary where a defendant publishes statements that are “highly improbable.” Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., 491 U.S. at 691 , 109 S.Ct. 2678 . “[A] plaintiff is entitled to prove the defendant’s state of mind through circumstantial evidence ... and it cannot be said that evidence concerning motive or care never bears any relation to the actual malice inquiry.” Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., 491 U.S. at 668 , 109 S.Ct. 2678 .

2009Such inquiry may also be necessary where a defendant publishes statements that are “highly improbable.” Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., 491 U.S. at 691 , 109 S.Ct. 2678 . “[A] plaintiff is entitled to prove the defendant’s state of mind through circumstantial evidence ... and it cannot be said that evidence concerning motive or care never bears any relation to the actual malice inquiry.” Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., 491 U.S. at 668 , 109 S.Ct. 2678 .

12009–2009
Dominguez v. Babcock green
coloctapp · 1985
1 sentence

1996Dominguez v. Babcock, 696 P.2d 338 (Colo.App.1984), affd, 727 P.2d 362 (Colo.1986) (mere negligent failure of employer to investigate cannot constitute actual malice for defamation claim).

11996–1996
Dominguez v. Babcock green
colo · 1986
1 sentence

1996Dominguez v. Babcock, 696 P.2d 338 (Colo.App.1984), affd, 727 P.2d 362 (Colo.1986) (mere negligent failure of employer to investigate cannot constitute actual malice for defamation claim).

11996–1996
Fink v. Combined Communications Corp. green
coloctapp · 1984
1 sentence

1985Accordingly, plaintiffs failed to prove with convincing clarity that Craig acted with “actual malice.” See Fink v. Combined Communications Corp., 679 P.2d 1108 (Colo.App.1984); Manuel v. Fort Collins Newspapers, Inc., supra. Plaintiffs contend, however, that the actual malice standard was met as to the Herald because Craig’s letter of March 11 was published with editorial acknowledgment that the Herald believed Craig’s analysis to be erroneous and potentially libelous.

11985–1985
Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc. green
scotus · 1974
2 sentences

1983Taken together, Greenbelt, Austin, and Austin 's companion case, Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323 , 94 S.Ct. 2997 , 41 L.Ed.2d 789 (1974) have been interpreted as creating an unconditional privilege for rhetorical hyperbole in a context where the actual malice standard is appropriate.

1983Taken together, Greenbelt, Austin, and Austin 's companion case, Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323 , 94 S.Ct. 2997 , 41 L.Ed.2d 789 (1974) have been interpreted as creating an unconditional privilege for rhetorical hyperbole in a context where the actual malice standard is appropriate.

11983–1983
St. Amant v. Thompson green
scotus · 1968
2 sentences

1981Amant v. Thompson, 390 U.S. 727, 732 , 88 S.Ct. 1323, 1326 , 20 L.Ed.2d 262 (1968), the actual malice standard acknowledges that to some extent at least, "erroneous statement is inevitable in free debate...." New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, supra, 376 U.S. at 271-72 , 84 S.Ct. at 721 , 11 L.Ed.2d at 701 .

1981Amant v. Thompson, 390 U.S. 727, 732 , 88 S.Ct. 1323, 1326 , 20 L.Ed.2d 262 (1968), the actual malice standard acknowledges that to some extent at least, "erroneous statement is inevitable in free debate...." New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, supra, 376 U.S. at 271-72 , 84 S.Ct. at 721 , 11 L.Ed.2d at 701 .

11981–1981
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan green
scotus · 1964
2 sentences

1981Amant v. Thompson, 390 U.S. 727, 732 , 88 S.Ct. 1323, 1326 , 20 L.Ed.2d 262 (1968), the actual malice standard acknowledges that to some extent at least, "erroneous statement is inevitable in free debate...." New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, supra, 376 U.S. at 271-72 , 84 S.Ct. at 721 , 11 L.Ed.2d at 701 .

1981Amant v. Thompson, 390 U.S. 727, 732 , 88 S.Ct. 1323, 1326 , 20 L.Ed.2d 262 (1968), the actual malice standard acknowledges that to some extent at least, "erroneous statement is inevitable in free debate...." New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, supra, 376 U.S. at 271-72 , 84 S.Ct. at 721 , 11 L.Ed.2d at 701 .

11981–1981

Where else courts name it

CA 232 (1979–2026) TX 61 (1984–2025) MA 55 (1971–2025) PA 52 (1966–2026) WA 44 (1969–2025) NJ 41 (1982–2026) MI 40 (1977–2022) NY 33 (1975–2024) OH 27 (1980–2025) IL 26 (1968–2014) FL 23 (1978–2025) SC 22 (1978–2024) MD 20 (1978–2022) IN 18 (1974–2017) MN 17 (1985–2023) IA 16 (1979–2026) TN 16 (1978–2024) NC 15 (1983–2025) GA 14 (1984–2026) WV 12 (1981–2020) DC 12 (1975–2023) KY 10 (1989–2024) WI 10 (1988–2024) WY 10 (1884–2019) AZ 10 (1976–2025) LA 10 (1978–2025) VA 10 (1985–2026) MO 10 (1984–2024) ID 10 (1990–2017) NM 9 (2008–2023) NV 7 (2000–2024) CO 7 (1981–2025) OK 7 (1984–2017) DE 7 (1985–2024) UT 7 (1981–2019) AL 7 (1980–2007) MS 6 (1977–2023) MT 5 (1980–2004) AK 5 (1988–2007) VT 5 (1990–2013) VI 4 (2010–2013) AR 4 (1979–2021) ME 4 (1985–2021) CT 4 (1982–2015) OR 4 (1983–1997) NH 2 (2007–2021)

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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