Grounds for slander/defamation of character?

..Can you be put on the news and crime stoppers before you were served a ticket or told what you were in trouble for? Can the victims collect crime stoppers even if the person turned themselves in? can you file a complaint against an investigator that you know was totally out of line in a case and had you guilty before you were prov en otherwise and not even questioned by anyone on the case? The case was eventually dismissed after 8 months of slander on the news, internet and crime stoppers. The victims apparently did it to get money and leave town..