Pursuing Claims for Harassment, Defamation, and Discrimination
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 27, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
Harassment, defamation of character, slander, and Lible and discrimination.
I also have 2 police reports with case numbers.
Attorney Answer
With two police reports and case numbers now on file, you have documented evidence that supports both continued follow-up on the criminal side and a potential civil claim for defamation, slander, or harassment.
Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4 sets a two-year limitations period for personal-injury actions — the same general period Indiana law applies to tort-type claims such as defamation — so time matters here as well. If discrimination is also part of what happened, be aware that discrimination claims often carry their own, separate, and typically shorter administrative filing deadline than a defamation or harassment claim.
What you can do:
1. Provide both police reports, case numbers, and any other documentation to a lawyer for evaluation of both criminal and civil options.
2. Follow up with the law enforcement agency handling each report on the status of any investigation.
3. If discrimination is involved, ask the lawyer specifically about any separate administrative filing deadline that may apply.
⏱ Time limits apply. Indiana imposes a two-year statute of limitations on defamation and most personal tort claims under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, and discrimination claims can carry separate, shorter deadlines. Don't delay engaging a lawyer to confirm exactly how these deadlines apply to your situation.
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Courts & Legal Aid in Indiana
- File or look up a case through the Indiana Courts, which serves the state.
- Get free civil legal help from Indiana Legal Services.
- Use the LSC — Find Legal Aid to find a local legal-aid office by ZIP code.
- Use the LawHelp.org to browse free legal information and self-help resources.
- Use the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory to get matched with a local attorney through your state bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does someone generally have to file a defamation or slander claim?
Many states set a limitations period of one to a few years from the statements at issue, so prompt consultation with an attorney is important to confirm the applicable deadline.
Can police reports support a civil defamation or harassment claim?
Yes, in many cases documented police reports and case numbers can serve as supporting evidence in a related civil claim, in addition to any separate criminal investigation.
Do discrimination claims have different deadlines than defamation claims?
Generally yes. Discrimination claims often must be filed with an administrative agency within a shorter window than a typical defamation claim, so checking both sets of deadlines separately is important.
