Lying To Friends Legalities

Summary

Lying to a friend is generally not illegal in California unless it involves fraud or defamation. Civil lawsuits for emotional distress are possible but less common. If your friend is concerned about potential legal issues, consulting a local attorney for specific guidance is advisable.

Full Conversation

Is it illegal to lie to a friend in the US, if the lie caused them significant distress?
Hello Daniel,
Lying to a friend is generally not illegal in the US unless it involves fraud or defamation. However, it can lead to civil lawsuits for emotional distress under specific conditions.
- Was the lie related to a financial matter or reputation harm?
- What state are you in?
This information can help provide more accurate details.
I have a friend from outside the country who lied to my other friend about something that was illegal in their country, in order for that person to not having to deal with certain topics they found uncomfortable. My friend who was lied to got very angry and very distressed about this. My friend who lied is concerned about jailtime because they will be moving to the US in a few days
Hello Daniel,
Lying to a friend is generally not illegal in the US unless it involves fraud or defamation. It can lead to civil lawsuits for emotional distress under specific conditions.
- Was the lie related to a financial matter or did it harm the person’s reputation?
The lie was related to certain topics being illegal in their country to discuss, so my other friend needed to delete certain conversations
Hello Daniel,
Lying about the legality of discussing certain topics is generally not a criminal offense in the US unless it involves fraud or defamation. Civil lawsuits for emotional distress are possible but less common.
- Where will your friend be moving to in the US? This may help with more specific information.
Feel free to ask if you need further information.
California
Hello Daniel,
Thanks for the information. Here are some key points:
- Lying to a friend is generally not a criminal offense in California unless it involves fraud or defamation.
- Civil lawsuits for emotional distress are possible but less common in such cases.
If your friend needs more specific guidance, they may consider consulting a local attorney.