Scottie Scheffler’s legal situation: charges, arraignment hearing and expert opinions

The world of golf was shocked when Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, was detained outside Valhalla Golf Course prior to the second round of the PGA Championship. The 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, was marred by a tragic accident that resulted in a fatal collision between a shuttle bus and a pedestrian.

The incident caused a major traffic jam that ultimately led to the arrest of the world’s No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler. The golfer was arrested by Louisville Metro Police and booked into the Department of Corrections on charges of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disobeying a traffic control officer.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Scottie Scheffler expressed his confusion and regret over the incident, stating, “This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do.” He further expressed his sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident.

Scottie Scheffler’s Legal Situation

Scottie Scheffler‘s charges are a mix of felonies and misdemeanors. The most serious charge is second-degree assault, a Class C felony in Kentucky punishable by between five and 10 years in prison. The charge is based on allegations that Scheffler intentionally caused physical injury to a police officer, which is a serious offense under Kentucky law.

The other charges, including third-degree criminal mischief and reckless driving, are misdemeanors with penalties ranging from fines to short-term imprisonment. Disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic is also a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and potentially points on his driver’s license.

Second-degree assault, a Class C felony in Kentucky, carries a sentence of between five and ten years in prison. This charge is levied when a person intentionally or wantonly causes serious physical injury to another person, often by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. If found guilty of a felony, the individual will be required to pay a fine between a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000.

Third-degree criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of 90 days and fines up to $250. Reckless driving, as defined by statute 189.290, is driving a vehicle in a manner that demonstrates a lack of concern for the safety of pedestrians and other vehicles. Violating this statute will result in fines between $20 and $100.

Disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic is also a Class B misdemeanor, unless the offense is committed by a defendant fleeing the commission of a felony offense. In such cases, it is elevated to a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum sentence of 12 months and a $500 fine.

Two days after Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, reports circulated that the prosecution was considering dropping all charges. However, Scheffler’s own attorney, Steve Romines, later stated that there is no indication of this.

On the contrary, everything seems to indicate that the prosecution is preparing to file charges, since it requested the dismissal of a motion filed by Romines and the world No. 1’s legal team asking to postpone the date of the arraignment hearing. However, the judge granted the request and the hearing will be held on June 3.

The insight of an expert lawyer

To gain a deeper understanding of the legal situation and potential outcomes, Golf Digest spoke with David Barber, a long-time Louisville attorney with extensive experience in both civil and criminal law. Barber’s insights provide invaluable context on the charges and how they will be handled by the prosecution.

Barber asserts that the second-degree assault charge is particularly serious due to the involvement of a police officer. He is certain that the prosecution will focus on Scheffler’s intent, which will be difficult to prove given the chaotic circumstances surrounding the incident.

The expert also made it clear that Scottie Scheffler’s release from custody was highly unusual. It is extremely rare for a judge to release someone accused of a felony assault on a police officer without holding them for a longer period. According to Barber, this indicates that the judge did not perceive Scheffler as a significant threat to the community or that the injuries sustained by the officer were not as severe as initially reported.

As for the future, Barber made it clear that the prosecution can take different courses of action. Prosecutors often go along with police officers, especially in cases involving an assault on a police officer. However, the charges written up by the police officer on the spot are statistically more likely to be amended by a prosecutor. Barber also stated that the idea of the case going to trial is highly unlikely.

Scottie Scheffler’s legal team, led by attorney Steve Romines, will work to mitigate the charges and minimize the potential penalties.

As the legal situation unfolds, Scottie Scheffler, his team, and his fans await the next steps. Despite the charges and the legal complexities, Scheffler remains focused on his golf career, hoping to put this incident behind him and return to the greens where he has made his mark as the world’s No. 1 golfer.