# Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-212: 45-8-212 Criminal defamation

> Montana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-212

## Section

- **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-212
- **Heading:** 45-8-212 Criminal defamation
- **Jurisdiction:** Montana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MT Code / Title 45 / Chapter 8 / Part 2 / Section 45-8-212

## Text

45-8-212 . Criminal defamation. (1) Defamatory matter is anything that exposes a person or a group, class, or association to hatred, contempt, ridicule, degradation, or disgrace in society or injury to the person's or its business or occupation.

(2) Whoever, with knowledge of its defamatory character, orally, in writing, or by any other means, including by electronic communication, as defined in 45-8-213 , communicates any defamatory matter to a third person without the consent of the person defamed commits the offense of criminal defamation and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 6 months in the county jail or a fine of not more than $500, or both.

(3) Violation of subsection (2) is justified if:

(a) the defamatory matter is true;

(b) the communication is absolutely privileged;

(c) the communication consists of fair comment made in good faith with respect to persons participating in matters of public concern;

(d) the communication consists of a fair and true report or a fair summary of any judicial, legislative, or other public or official proceedings; or

(e) the communication is between persons each having an interest or duty with respect to the subject matter of the communication and is made with the purpose to further the interest or duty.

(4) A person may not be convicted on the basis of an oral communication of defamatory matter except upon the testimony of at least two other persons that they heard and understood the oral statement as defamatory or upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.

## Nearby sections

- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-201 45-8-201 Obscenity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-201.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-203 45-8-203 Certain motion picture theater employees not liable for prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-203.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-205 45-8-205 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-205.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-206 45-8-206 Public display or dissemination of obscene material to minors](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-206.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-207 45-8-207 Notice of violation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-207.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-208 45-8-208 Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-208.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-209 45-8-209 Harming a police dog -- penalty -- definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-209.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-210 45-8-210 Causing animals to fight -- owners, trainers, and spectators -- penalties -- exception -- definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-210.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-211 45-8-211 Cruelty to animals -- exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-211.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-212 45-8-212 Criminal defamation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-212.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-213 45-8-213 Privacy in communications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-213.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-214 45-8-214 Bribery in contests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-214.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-215 45-8-215 Desecration of flags](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-215.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-216 45-8-216 Unlawful automated telephone solicitation -- exceptions -- penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-216.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-212. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.