A Sigh of Relief: Judge Orders Actor Timothy Busfield's Release After Court No-Show Scare

There's a bit of good news brewing out of New Mexico for fans of actor Timothy Busfield, or really, anyone who's been following the rather sudden news of his detention. A judge in Santa Fe has now ordered the Emmy-winning performer to be released, bringing a temporary end to what must have been a stressful few days for him and his legal team.

Busfield, a familiar face from iconic shows like 'thirtysomething' and 'The West Wing,' alongside films such as 'Revenge of the Nerds,' found himself in a spot of bother earlier this week. You see, he was taken into custody on Monday morning, all because he missed a court appearance scheduled for March 13. That's never a good look, and judges tend to take such absences quite seriously, often issuing a bench warrant, which is exactly what happened here.

But it turns out there was a very human reason for his absence, as his attorney, Mark Caruso, quickly clarified. According to Caruso, Busfield couldn't make it to court that day because he was battling COVID-19. Imagine that – you're feeling under the weather, possibly quite unwell, and suddenly you're facing a bench warrant. Caruso even mentioned that the judge had, in fact, been informed about Busfield's illness prior to issuing the warrant. One can only speculate about the communication breakdown there.

The original charges against Busfield, which led to the initial court date, stem from an incident back in February 2024. He's facing misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest. Serious stuff, to be sure, and something that will still need to be addressed in court.

Judge David Segura of Santa Fe Magistrate Court signed off on the order for Busfield's release, allowing him to be freed on his own recognizance. This means he doesn't have to post bail, essentially trusting him to show up for future proceedings. It’s a common practice when someone isn't deemed a flight risk or a danger to the community.

It’s worth noting that Busfield isn't just an actor passing through; he actually calls northern New Mexico home these days. Beyond his acting career, he's involved in academia, teaching at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. So, this isn't some transient celebrity issue; he's part of the local fabric.

While this particular chapter of his legal woes closes with his release, the story isn't quite over. A new hearing is now slated for March 22, where the warrant itself will be addressed, and a fresh arraignment date will be set for those original DWI and resisting arrest charges. For now, though, Timothy Busfield can breathe a little easier, out of custody and presumably on the road to recovery from his illness.