Arnold Schwarzenegger Seeks Extra Security After Lawyer Posts Exact Time, Place of Court Testimony

Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking a Los Angeles judge for extra courtroom security after the opposing lawyer in his car crash trial posted the exact time and location of his expected testimony in a “Terminator”-style social media promotion.

Attorneys for the actor and former California governor filed the request Tuesday after plaintiff’s lawyer Gary A. Dordick published a mock movie advertisement showing himself dressed like Schwarzenegger’s famous Terminator character alongside details of the upcoming trial. The post identified Schwarzenegger as the first witness and included the court date, street address and department number.

Schwarzenegger’s lawyers want his arrival, departure and seating coordinated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. They are also asking the court to restrict photography, video and audio recording and require plaintiff Cheryl Augustine to cover any additional security costs they say were created by the publicity.

The filing argues that Dordick transformed information available through court records into an advertisement broadcasting where and when one of the world’s most recognizable celebrities would appear.

Although Schwarzenegger’s court appearance was already public information, his attorneys contend the Instagram post dramatically expanded its reach by packaging the details for a social media audience rather than requiring members of the public to locate the case through the Los Angeles County Superior Court system.

Dordick’s post features the personal injury attorney in dark sunglasses and a leather jacket in an apparent reference to Schwarzenegger’s 1984 film “The Terminator.” According to court filings, it also includes an image from the crash and the phrase “I’ll be back.”

The security dispute comes weeks before an Oct. 12 trial in Beverly Hills Superior Court before Judge Edward B. Moreton Jr. Schwarzenegger has conceded negligence in the underlying crash, leaving the jury to determine the amount of damages Augustine should receive.

Augustine sued Schwarzenegger and his production company, Oak Productions Inc., over a Jan. 21, 2022, four-vehicle collision near Sunset Boulevard and Allenford Avenue in Brentwood. She alleges Schwarzenegger made a left turn against a red arrow and struck her Toyota Prius before his GMC Yukon became involved with two other vehicles.

Her attorneys say the collision caused a traumatic brain injury that produced lasting changes to her personality, relationships and ability to function. Schwarzenegger disputes the extent of her claimed damages.

The request to restrict recording falls within authority California judges already have over media coverage inside courthouses. State court rules generally prohibit photographing, recording or broadcasting proceedings without judicial permission and allow judges to consider security, courtroom dignity and the orderly conduct of proceedings when deciding whether coverage should be permitted.

Schwarzenegger’s request goes further by asking that photography, video and audio recording of trial participants also be barred in courthouse corridors without written permission from the judge.

His attorneys contend the publicity created a security concern that should not be shifted to the court or to Schwarzenegger. They are asking Augustine to bear any additional expense associated with measures required because of her lawyer’s promotion.

The judge has not yet ruled on the requested security measures. The damages trial remains scheduled to begin Oct. 12, with Schwarzenegger expected to testify as the first witness.