Alec Baldwin charged with assault; actor admits to altercation over parking spot

Alec Baldwin was charged with attempted misdemeanour assault and violation-level harassment, NBC News reported. The "30 Rock" actor has been arraigned and released without bail. Baldwin is in trouble for allegedly getting into a physical altercation with a man over a parking space.

But as the Associated Press noted, the charges have been downgraded, as Baldwin was initially charged with assault and harassment when he was arrested on Nov. 2. The hearing lasted less than a minute, after which Baldwin was released without bail, according to NBC News. He is due back in court Jan. 23.

Alec Baldwin's lawyer, Alan Abramson had this to say, according to the Associated Press:"Mr. Baldwin did not commit any crime, and we are confident that once this matter is fully investigated, it will be resolved swiftly and appropriately in court."

A source recently told People that while Baldwin does have a history of acting out, he frequently finds himself being "provoked and taunted and harassed" by the paparazzi.

"Sometimes he goes too far," the source said. "But the things these photographers yell at him are more awful than you can imagine, and most of the world will never hear it. Because only the photos get released, of him looking furious and deranged. Or only the video of the minute he loses it gets put out there— never all the disgusting, taunting provocations he has to listen to beforehand."

"He's not some rage monster who is just going around indiscriminately beating people up," the insider added. "Everyone close to him, of course, wishes he could just fully tune them out and ignore them, but honestly, there's also a ton of empathy for why he can't."