The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Thursday that people who sue for false light invasion of privacy must file their claims within one year—the same time limit used for defamation cases.

The unanimous decision aims to protect free speech by limiting lawsuits over old statements that could make people afraid to speak out publicly for fear of being sued years later.

This ruling emerged from a case involving Salve Chipola III, who alleged he was falsely accused of being a drug dealer.

During halftime of a game at Clearview Regional High School in Mullica Hill, Chipola walked past Sean Flannery and another man speaking with a school staffer.

That night, the other man called Chipola and said Flannery had been talking about him, though he didn’t share details, the court said.

Five days l

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