Alec Baldwin’s PR Big Mistake

It is common for someone who believes they have been wrongly accused to want to clear their name, especially if they are a celebrity like Alec Baldwin. But when someone is facing the possibility of criminal charges their efforts to preserve and protect their good name must parallel the defense strategy if they are charged with a crime. Baldwin's belief that his celebrity status made him immune from prosecution was naive; in reality, his high profile made him an inviting target.

Baldwin’s error was firmly stating that he did not pull the trigger of the gun that took the life of Halyna Hutchins. According to media reports, he made this claim before an FBI analysis of the gun concluded that the gun could not be fired without pulling the trigger. Now, his defense team is trying to walk back that statement in court.

Bottom line: Baldwin should have refrained from making any statements without consulting a criminal defense attorney and a media relations expert. With decades of experience in high-profile litigation, we know there are multiple strategies for addressing a difficult set of facts without compromising the defense team's position.