SLAPPs — Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation — are civil complaints or counterclaims (against either an individual or an organization) in which the alleged injury was the result of petitioning or free speech activities protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. SLAPPs are often brought by corporations, real estate developers, or government officials and entities against individuals who oppose them on public issues. Typically, SLAPPs are based on ordinary civil tort claims such as defamation, conspiracy, and interference with prospective economic advantage.
While most SLAPPs are legally meritless, they effectively achieve their principal purpose: to chill public debate on specific issues. Defending a SLAPP requires substantial money, time, and legal resources and thus diverts the defendant's attention away from the public issue. Equally important, however, a SLAPP also sends a message to others: you, too, can be sued if you speak up.
Every year thousands of people are hit with SLAPPs for such activities as writing a letter to a newspaper, reporting misconduct by public officals, speaking at public meetings, filing complaints with officials over violations of labor laws or health and safety laws, "whistleblowing" in corporations, or organizing tenants.
SLAPPs: Getting Sued for Speaking Out
A comprehensive book on SLAPPS by George Pring and Penelope Canan of the Political Litigation Project, University of Denver, Colorado.
Bibliography on SLAPPs
Prepared by Pring and Canan.
Ask for Help — Use this online form to request help from CASP attorneys regarding a SLAPP filed or threatened in California.
Other Places to Find Help — Information on organizations that provide legal assistance to SLAPP victims as well as organizations active in fighting SLAPPs, in and outside of California.