Defamation Statute of Limitations in Mississippi
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
1 year
from Date the defamatory statement is published (accrual date), under Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35.
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If you're researching defamation and libel claims in Mississippi, the single most important number is 1 year. That's how long Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35 gives you to file a defamation lawsuit, counted from Date the defamatory statement is published (accrual date). File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Mississippi Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Defamation | 1 year | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35 |
| Car Accident | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Credit Card Debt | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-29 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Miss. Code § 15-1-36 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-13; § 11-1-60 |
| Personal Injury | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Dog Bite | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Slip and Fall | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Breach of Contract | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Medical Debt | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-29 |
When the Clock Starts
In Mississippi, the limitations period for defamation and libel claims generally begins on Date the defamatory statement is published (accrual date). Mississippi does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Mississippi Tort Claims Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-11, requires written notice of claim to the government entity within 1 year before suit.
Covers both 'slanderous words concerning the person or title' and 'libels.' Full text: 'All actions for...slanderous words concerning the person or title, for failure to employ, and for libels, shall be commenced within one (1) year next after the cause of such action accrued, and not after.' Mississippi Code is officially published via LexisNexis (https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/mscode/) as designated by the state Secretary of State; the legislature.ms.gov site does not host direct per-section URLs.
Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35, official Mississippi statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Mississippi government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Mississippi Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 1 year | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35 |
| Louisiana | 2 yrs | La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3493.1 |
| Arkansas | 3 yrs | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105(5) (libel, 3 yr); § 16-56-104(3) (slander, 1 yr) |
| Tennessee | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1)(A) |
| Alabama | 2 yrs | Ala. Code § 6-2-38(k) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit in Mississippi?
You have 1 year from Date the defamatory statement is published (accrual date), under Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-35.
Can I still sue after 1 years in Mississippi?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Mississippi generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Mississippi Tort Claims Act, Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-11, requires written notice of claim to the government entity within 1 year before suit.
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Sources
- Official Mississippi Legislature — Official State Legislative Website
- Corroborating Justia — Mississippi Code § 15-1-35 (2025) Limitations applicable to actions for certain torts
- Corroborating Cornell LII — Mississippi Legal Materials
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Mississippi attorney.