Opinion ID: 2583949
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Interface Between Anti-SLAPP Statute and Malicious Prosecution

Text: Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, the anti-SLAPP statute, provides in relevant part: A cause of action against a person arising from any act of that person in furtherance of the person's right of petition or free speech under the United States or California Constitution in connection with a public issue shall be subject to a special motion to strike, unless the court determines that the plaintiff has established that there is a probability that the plaintiff will prevail on the claim. ( Id., § 425.16, subd. (b)(1).) Under this statute, the party moving to strike a cause of action has the initial burden to show that the cause of action aris [es] from [an] act ... in furtherance of the [moving party's] right of petition or free speech. ( Ibid.; Equilon, supra, 29 Cal.4th at p. 67, 124 Cal.Rptr.2d 507, 52 P.3d 685.) Once that burden is met, the burden shifts to the opposing party to demonstrate the probability that the plaintiff will prevail on the claim. (Code Civ. Proc., § 425.16, subd. (b)(1); Equilon, supra, 29 Cal.4th at p. 67, 124 Cal.Rptr.2d 507, 52 P.3d 685.) To satisfy this prong, the plaintiff must state[ ] and substantiate[] a legally sufficient claim. [Citation.] Put another way, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the complaint is both legally sufficient and supported by a sufficient prima facie showing of facts to sustain a favorable judgment if the evidence submitted by the plaintiff is credited.' [Citation.] ( Jarrow Formulas, Inc. v. LaMarche (2003) 31 Cal.4th 728, 741, 3 Cal.Rptr.3d 636, 74 P.3d 737, fn. omitted ( Jarrow Formulas ).) The parties agree that plaintiffs' malicious prosecution action arises from acts in furtherance of defendants' right of petition or free speech. [4] Thus, the issue is whether plaintiffs presented evidence in opposition to defendants' anti-SLAPP motion that, if believed by the trier of fact, was sufficient to support a judgment in plaintiffs' favor. Whether plaintiffs have established a prima facie case is a question of law. ( Wilson v. Parker, Covert & Chidester (2002) 28 Cal.4th 811, 821, 123 Cal.Rptr.2d 19, 50 P.3d 733 ( Wilson ) [In deciding the question of potential merit, the trial court considers the pleadings and evidentiary submissions of both the plaintiff and the defendant ([Code Civ. Proc.,] § 425.16, subd. (b)(2)); though the court does not weigh the credibility or comparative probative strength of competing evidence, it should grant the motion if, as a matter of law, the defendant's evidence supporting the motion defeats the plaintiff's attempt to establish evidentiary support for the claim].)