Blogosphere: April 2013 Archives

How Anti-SLAPP Statutes Work And Why They Are Important | Popehat

A very clear explanation of Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs), how a good anti-SLAPP statute (such as California has) protects your right to free speech with an early motion to dismiss that halts discovery, and the bad things that can happen to you if your state doesn't have a strong anti-SLAPP law. (The Popehat blog has an entire category about SLAPP.) The author, Ken White, is a former federal prosecutor who handles First Amendment defense cases.

How can you smell a SLAPP? Ken's mantra: "Vagueness in legal threats is the hallmark of meritless thuggery."