A newspaper stated that a family member was sentanced for a crime that had nothing to do with the sentancing... its front page in a small town and has already set a lot of people against the family. Isn't there a big case for slander?

What do you mean 'sentenced for a crime that had nothing to do with the sentencing'. That doesn't make sense unless you explain further. However, the paper is only reporting information from other sources, so how can you call it slander (by the paper) ?

However, the paper is only reporting information from other sources, so how can you call it slander (by the paper) ?Unless it's their own reporter who "broke" the story.

If it is in the paper its libel, not slander. Thuis is a tort and can only be brought by the family member who was written about. Legal Dictionary | Law.com (http://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=1153)

Hello h:

If they reported that he was convicted of burglary, but he was convicted of assault, then it's not going to matter. But, if he was convicted of a traffic violation, and they reported that he raped someone, then there is, at the very least, a mistake, that should be retracted or corrected. If you show them what they did, I'm sure they will.

But, unless you can prove they intended to damage you by writing the story, then you have no case.

excon

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But, unless you can prove they intended to damage you by writing the story, then you have no case.
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I don't believe "malice" is required.