NEW YORK, United States — Hollywood actress Selma Blair has been charged with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly kicking a police officer and a nurse after she was arrested following a disturbance aboard a flight from Los Angeles to New York.
The 54-year-old actress appeared before Judge Indira Khan at Queens Criminal Court on Monday, October 12, 2026, where she pleaded not guilty to the assault charges.
Blair was released on bail set at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond. She is scheduled to return to court on January 19, 2027.
The charges represent a significant development in the case, which began when police arrested the actress at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday night following allegations that she attacked two flight attendants.
Blair also faces a separate federal proceeding over her alleged conduct aboard the aircraft.
Prosecutors Detail Alleged Attacks
According to a criminal complaint filed in Queens, Blair allegedly assaulted Port Authority Police Officer Maria Suarez while officers were preparing to transport her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
Prosecutors said Suarez was helping secure Blair to a stretcher when the actress pulled one of her legs free from the restraints and repeatedly kicked the officer in the face, neck, and chest.
The officer reportedly suffered swelling to her jaw and substantial pain and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Blair is also accused of assaulting registered nurse Ashley DeLeo later that night while receiving medical attention at Jamaica Hospital.
The complaint alleges that the actress kicked DeLeo in the chest while the nurse was assisting with her treatment, causing substantial pain.
The two alleged attacks form the basis of the separate second-degree assault charges brought under New York State law.
According to ABC News, prosecutors charged Blair under Section 120.05(3) of the New York Penal Law.
A prosecutor told the court that Blair could face between two and seven years in prison if convicted on the state charges.
Judge Khan also issued an order of protection for the nurse.
Lawyer Says Actress Suffered Medical Emergency
Blair’s attorney, Shawn Barnes, disputed the suggestion that the alleged assaults were intentional, telling the court that his client had experienced a severe medical episode.
“We do not believe, your honor, that this is an intentional assault,” Barnes said, according to CNN’s account of the hearing.
The lawyer said Blair had boarded the flight after working extended hours on a film set and had missed several doses of medication prescribed for neurological symptoms.
He also said she had fallen and struck her head during the journey.
According to Barnes, the combination of exhaustion, missed medication, and the reported head injury caused severe confusion and disorientation.
The lawyer told the court that Blair had been diagnosed with Parkinsonism, a group of movement-related symptoms, in addition to multiple sclerosis, a condition she publicly disclosed in 2018.
These explanations were presented by the defence and have not been established as findings of the court.
Blair’s representative had earlier said the actress experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct and received medical attention after landing.
Separate Federal Charges Over Alleged Flight Assaults
The state prosecution is separate from the investigation into allegations involving two Delta Air Lines flight attendants.
Police said the crew members reported injuries during Flight 938 from Los Angeles International Airport to New York on Sunday, October 11.
A law enforcement official told CNN that Blair allegedly bit one flight attendant and caused cuts to another.
One of the crew members was taken to the hospital for further assessment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation subsequently issued Blair a federal violation notice alleging assault within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, according to the Associated Press.
The federal matter is expected to be handled by a petty violations court in Brooklyn.
No date has been announced for her appearance in that proceeding.
Delta Air Lines said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly or unlawful behaviour aboard its aircraft.
Actress Released Pending Next Hearing
Blair left the Queens courthouse on Monday evening after being released on bail.
The actress, known for her roles in Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and Hellboy, has spoken publicly about living with multiple sclerosis and has become an advocate for people with disabilities.
Her legal team is expected to rely on medical evidence in responding to the allegations.
The next hearing in the New York State prosecution is scheduled for January 19, 2027.
Blair has not been convicted of any offence arising from Sunday’s incident, and the allegations remain before the courts.
SEO Details
SEO Tags (10):
Five Alternative NYT-Quality Headlines
- Selma Blair Faces 2 Assault Charges After Allegedly Attacking Police Officer and Nurse
- Selma Blair Charged With Assault After Flight Incident, Released on $20,000 Bail
- Selma Blair Pleads Not Guilty to Assaulting Officer and Nurse Following Airport Arrest
- Selma Blair Faces State and Federal Assault Proceedings After New York Flight Incident
-
