Alec Baldwin is facing criticism after appearing at a Los Angeles taping of Dancing with the Stars to support his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, while continuing to decline participation in a court deposition related to the Rust shooting incident. The situation has escalated frustrations for those involved in the lawsuits, as the Alec Baldwin court deposition refusal comes amid ongoing legal battles stemming from the fatal shooting on set.
Criticism Over Baldwin’s Absence in Court Proceedings
The mounting tension originates from Serge Svetnoy, a gaffer on the Rust film, who has made multiple attempts since March to schedule Baldwin’s deposition regarding the shooting incident. Allegations surfaced that Alec, along with other defendants, either remained unavailable or outright refused to testify each time. On November 12, Svetnoy’s lawyer expressed continued exasperation, emphasizing the lack of cooperation from the actor and other parties. According to the lawyer,
In every instance, [Alec and the other defendants] claimed to be unavailable or simply refused to testify.
— Svetnoy’s Legal Counsel
Records indicate there were repeated delays in setting Baldwin’s deposition, with the actor seeking various professional accommodations. Despite claiming work commitments for most of September 2025, it was noted that Alec Baldwin traveled to Los Angeles to support Hilaria at a taping of Dancing with the Stars. Svetnoy’s legal team pointedly observed,
despite claiming to have work commitment throughout most of September 2025, Alec, 67, would travel to and appear in Los Angeles, California, at the taping of an episode of Dancing With the Stars to support his wife.
— Svetnoy’s Legal Counsel
Legal Strategies and Continued Tensions
The ongoing case is complicated by Alec Baldwin’s request to the court to limit his legal participation to a single deposition, which he argued could cover both Svetnoy’s civil lawsuit and an additional related complaint. Baldwin maintained that multiple appearances were unnecessary, while Svetnoy’s lawyer questioned Alec’s efforts over the last six months, stating the plaintiff had remained patient and accommodating toward the defense’s schedule. In a stark statement, the lawyer remarked,
What has [Alec] done in the past 6 months to move this deposition forward? [Svetnoy] has been patient and has cooperated with [Alec’s] counsel at every turn. This cannot be disputed. But as the saying widely attributed to Albert Einstein goes, ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.’ [Svetnoy] now moves [to] break this cycle of insanity.
— Svetnoy’s Legal Counsel
Civil and Criminal Cases After the Rust Tragedy
The legal conflict dates back to 2021, when Serge Svetnoy initiated a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin following the on-set shooting that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Svetnoy witnessed the incident and described profound emotional distress, having nearly been struck by the same live round that killed his colleague. While Alec Baldwin admitted he was holding the firearm at the time, he denied pulling the trigger and asserted that the gun was not supposed to contain real bullets. Both Alec and the other co-defendants have denied any civil or criminal wrongdoing.
The criminal dimension of the Rust case concluded in July 2024, when the court dismissed charges against Baldwin after determining there had been alleged prosecutorial misconduct. The matter was officially closed by October 2024, preventing further action against Baldwin, much to the dismay of the prosecution. Prosecutors’ efforts to reopen the involuntary manslaughter case were rejected by the presiding judge, marking an end to criminal proceedings against the actor.
Defending Against Claims of Negligence
Through legal filings, Alec Baldwin’s counsel has repeatedly emphasized that the fatal shooting was accidental, taking place on a movie set near Santa Fe, New Mexico. In a court statement, the attorney asserted,
An accidental shooting took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a movie set just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
— Baldwin’s Attorney
Svetnoy’s civil lawsuit positions the gaffer as deeply affected by Hutchins’ death and by his own close proximity to the bullet. Alec’s legal team countered that Svetnoy’s complaints derive solely from his presence at the scene, insisting the prop gun had been declared unloaded just before the incident and any blame should fall on those responsible for the firearms’ management. The attorney elaborated,
Svetnoy filed this lawsuit, alleging injuries based solely on his being close by when the prop gun went off and the live round — which should not have been in the gun and for which those responsible for it had just told Mr. Baldwin that it was unloaded — traveled in front of [Svetnoy].
— Baldwin’s Attorney
Settlements and Ongoing Fallout
Following the fatal shooting, the family of Halyna Hutchins, including her husband Matthew Hutchins and their son, filed civil claims against Alec Baldwin and various film producers. These lawsuits were eventually settled, but the resolution did little to quell further legal actions such as Svetnoy’s continuing case against Baldwin.
Alec Baldwin’s legal position holds that the settlement with Hutchins’ family should have put the matter to rest. Nevertheless, the refusal to comply with the deposition process, paired with high-profile public appearances, has fueled criticism from those seeking justice for the tragic Rust shooting.
What’s Next in the Ongoing Legal Dispute
The frustration around the Alec Baldwin court deposition refusal remains palpable as Serge Svetnoy presses ahead with his lawsuit, aiming to break the cycle of delays and further legal wrangling. The emotional and professional turmoil linked to the Rust incident continues to reverberate through the film industry, drawing scrutiny to production safety and accountability standards, as well as the responsibilities of producers and actors in high-risk filming environments. The unresolved civil case and lingering anger ensure that Baldwin and other key figures will stay at the center of this high-profile legal and public controversy for the foreseeable future.
