Scottie Scheffler's PGA Championship arrest incident gets dragged on as arraignment gets new date

Scottie Scheffler's arrest in the early morning hours of Friday, May 17, the second date of the 2024 PGA Championship, continues to generate headlines. Scheffler was scheduled to appear in court this Tuesday, but the date has been postponed.

The new date for Scottie Scheffler's preliminary hearing is June 3. The news of the postponement of the hearing was released by Scheffler's attorney, Steve Romines, as reported on his X account by Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig.

Local Louisville, Kentucky media outlet WLKY reported that it was Scottie Scheffler's defense that filed the motion for postponement. The court granted the motion, despite the Jefferson district attorney opposing the motion.

No Laying Up reported Sunday that the prosecution would be considering dropping the charges against Scottie Scheffler. However, WLKY quoted Jefferson District Attorney Mike O'Connell as saying that as of Sunday afternoon, investigators were still gathering information about the case and that no decision had been made.

On the same day of Scottie Scheffler's arrest, his attorney stated that they would not seek a plea deal, as Scheffler had "done nothing wrong." Romines made it clear that either all charges would be dismissed, or they would go to trial.

Scottie Scheffler faces four criminal charges viz. second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer.

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More on the charges against Scottie Scheffler

Under Kentucky law, criminal mischief is a Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by a maximum of 90 days in jail and a maximum fine of $250. For reckless driving, fines of between $20 and $100 are established.

As for disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic, it carries penalties of 12 months in jail and a $500 fine, if determined to be a Class A misdemeanor.

The most serious charge against Scottie Scheffler is second-degree assault. Under state law, it carries prison sentences of between five and 10 years, plus a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000. It occurs when a person:

• Intentionally causes serious physical injury to another person
• Intentionally causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument
• Wantonly causes serious physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

However, attorney David Barber, who has practiced law for more than 30 years in Kentucky, explained to Golf Digest that these charges are not necessarily the ones Scheffler will face in court.

"The two ways somebody can be charged with a crime are," Barber explained, "the law enforcement officer decides what the charge is, and the second way is that the prosecutor decides if they're going to issue a criminal summons."

"Statistically speaking," the lawyer added, "charges like this that were written up by the police officer on the spot are more likely to be amended by a prosecutor who's going to have some input."

The lawyer also explained that the fact that Scheffler was released in a matter of hours is an argument that may lead to the second-degree assault charge being modified, but not necessarily being dropped. The prosecutor's office is entitled to change the charge, but still arraign the World No. 1 for a different one.