Three months after Justin Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor for driving while intoxicated, he has reached a plea deal and pleaded guilty to a noncriminal traffic infraction. He was originally charged with one count of DWI and cited for running a stop sign and failing to stay in his lane.
According to TMZ, on June 18, Timberlake had dinner with some friends at a Sag Harbor hotel and left around 12:30 a.m. but was pulled over shortly after getting into his car. The gossip site claims to have obtained the police report, which reportedly states that Timberlake drove through a stop sign and had trouble driving in a straight line.
The report, which was also obtained by “Page Six,” says Timberlake gave an “oral admission,” reportedly telling the police officer, “I had one martini, and I followed my friends home.” The singer, who, according to the report, had bloodshot eyes and a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from his mouth, is said to have refused a Breathalyzer test three times.
Someone who claimed to be at the same hotel restaurant as Timberlake on the night of his arrest told the New York Post that the singer seemed drunk. “He was wasted,” the source said. “At one point, just before closing, somebody got up to go to the bathroom and left his drink on the table” and when the man returned, Timberlake “was drinking his drink.”
Then this slightly embarrassing detail emerged from an anonymous source speaking to “Page Six”: Timberlake’s friends tried to get the arresting officer to let the singer off the hook, but the cop was “so young that he didn’t even know who the pop star was.”
Timberlake reportedly remained in custody until the next morning, according to TMZ, and was later spotted leaving court in photos published by “Page Six.” A press release from the Sag Harbor Police Department confirmed that he was held overnight and released on his own recognizance following his arraignment.
A source told People that Timberlake showed up to court in handcuffs that were removed after his arraignment. “He did seem a bit upset,” the source told the tabloid, who added that Timberlake’s wife, Jessica Biel, was not in attendance.
“The charge was a single count because he refused the breath test,” Timberlake’s lawyer, Ed Burke, told Us Weekly. “Mr. Timberlake was also charged with two other court citations, running a stop sign and not traveling in the correct traffic lane.”
Deadline reported that Timberlake made a virtual court appearance in August, when he pleaded not guilty to a revised misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated, and his lawyer maintained that the singer was not drunk. Timberlake spoke only twice during the largely procedural hearing, both times to say “yes” to Justice Carl Irace. As part of the proceedings, Irace suspended Timberlake’s driving privileges in New York.
On Friday, Timberlake pleaded guilty to a noncriminal offense in Sag Harbor, telling the judge, “I should’ve had better judgment.” As part of his plea deal, per NBC New York, he’s required to make a public statement on the perils of drinking and driving, log 25 hours of community service, and pay a $500 fine. His license will reportedly be suspended for 90 days.
Justin Timberlake speaks outside the court after reaching plea deal in DWI case:
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 13, 2024
“even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car.” pic.twitter.com/OSmCKL5MLw
This post has been updated.
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