Authors

Elijah Miller

Document Type

Case Summary

Publication Date

3-2024

Case Synopsis

For the first time, the Nevada Supreme Court directly discussed a plaintiff’s burden of proof, under the second prong of NRS 41.660(3). Specifically, the Court held that the second prong’s burden on the plaintiff to produce prima facie evidence of a probability of prevailing on the respective public figure defamation claim was only met if the plaintiff proffers evidence sufficient for a jury to find, by clear and convincing evidence, in favor of the plaintiff on the actual malice element. A failure by the plaintiff to meet the clear and convincing standard requires the court to dismiss a public figure defamation claim pursuant to NRS 41.650 and NRS 41.660(1)(a), as to limit the chilling effect of civil litigation on First Amendment free speech.

Share

COinS