Legal Opinion
Fenelon v. Superior Court
California Court of Appeal
Decided September 20, 1990No. D011414PublishedCited by 26 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
Opinion
WIENER, Acting P. J.
In this writ proceeding we decide that a knowingly false report to the police department is not absolutely privileged under Civil Code section 47, subdivision 2.1 Accordingly, here the court properly overruled the petitioners’ demurrer with respect to statements made to the police. As we shall explain, those statements are subject to a qualified privilege under, section 47(3).2 We therefore deny the petition.
Factual and Procedural Background
In the underlying action plaintiff John Dunbar sued petitioners Michael and Dolly Fenelon for defamation.3 Accepting the…
2Cases cited30 opinions
- Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior CourtCalifornia Supreme Court · 1962
- Forro Precision, Inc. v. International Business MacHines Corp.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1982
- Bradley v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co.California Court of Appeal · 1973
- Ascherman v. NatansonCalifornia Court of Appeal · 1972
- Williams v. TaylorCalifornia Court of Appeal · 1982
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3Cited by26 opinions
- Kashian v. HarrimanCalifornia Court of Appeal · 2002
- Hagberg v. California Federal Bank FSBCalifornia Supreme Court · 2004
- Fridovich v. FridovichSupreme Court of Florida · 1992
- Braun v. Chronicle Publishing Co.California Court of Appeal · 1997
- Braun v. Bureau of State AuditsCalifornia Court of Appeal · 1998
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