What's next if Johnny Depp wins defamation case against Amber Heard?

The trial of Johnny Depp's defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard will conclude this week. Here's what will happen if the Aquaman actress loses the case.

The trial of Johnny Depp’s defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife and actress Amber Heard over an opinion piece she wrote in The Washington Post is about to conclude. The much-talked-about libel case exposed the former couple's troubled marriage. Johnny Depp sued ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation regarding an op-ed, which was published in the Washington Post in 2018. His legal team has claimed a $50 million compensation payment for the damages caused by the opinion piece.

The verdict of the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard case is not yet out. If the jury finds that Amber actually defamed Johnny, then she could be asked to pay the full $50 million or the jury could recommend that the Pirates of the Caribbean star is given more or less than that amount.

Whatever the outcome may be, neither Johnny Depp nor Amber Heard will receive a prison sentence. Even a criminal charge won't be filed against either of the two, since the case is a civil trial and not a criminal trial.

If the jury finds Amber Heard not guilty, she won't have to pay the compensation money. Meanwhile, Johnny Depp could appeal the ruling, but it might be futile unless he has some new evidence against his ex-wife. Apart from this, there is a possibility that Amber could get a hefty amount as compensation. After Depp sued Amber, the actress's lawyers counter-sued him for $100 million, claiming that the actress was defamed by the actor. The hearing in the counter-lawsuit will depend on the outcome of Depp's defamation suit.