Justin Timberlake's lawyer, prominent Hamptons attorney Edward Burke Jr., has vowed to "vigorously defend" the pop star against DWI allegations following his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, early Tuesday morning. In a statement released to Page Six on Wednesday, Burke's office said, "Mr. Burke looks forward to vigorously defending Mr. Timberlake against these allegations. He will have a lot to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full discovery from the DA's office."
Timberlake, 43, was taken into custody shortly after midnight on Tuesday and charged with one count of driving while intoxicated and two other traffic violations, including not stopping at a stop sign and failure to stay in a proper lane of travel. The singer was photographed leaving the Sag Harbor Village Police Department on Tuesday morning after being arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
According to a source, Timberlake was pulled over after having dinner with friends at Sag Harbor's historic American Hotel, where "there were cops stationed outside." The "SexyBack" singer, who was driving a gray 2025 BMW vehicle, allegedly failed a field sobriety test and repeatedly refused to take a breathalyzer test.
A criminal complaint obtained by Page Six reveals that Timberlake claimed to have consumed only "one martini" at the posh Long Island hotel before following friends home. However, police noticed he had "bloodshot and glassy eyes," which could be seen in his mugshot, in addition to "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" on his breath during the investigation, according to the documents.
Burke, who has represented high-profile clients such as Matt Lauer, Lizzie Grubman, and Jason Kidd, has an office in Sag Harbor, near where the incident occurred. Timberlake's next court date is set for July 26, but he will not be required to attend the procedural hearing.
While some fans and supporters may be quick to dismiss Timberlake's arrest as a mere mistake or accident, it is crucial to acknowledge the severity and preventable nature of driving under the influence. Impaired driving is a deadly crime that puts countless lives at risk every day, and the normalization of this behavior in America is an alarming trend.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that nearly 37 people die every day in the United States due to drunk driving crashes, averaging one death every 39 minutes. Despite these sobering numbers, the conviction rate for DWI offenses remains low, and penalties often do not reflect the severity of the crime.
To effectively address impaired driving, a multifaceted approach is necessary, including a shift in attitudes and personal responsibility. Individuals must recognize that impairment begins after the first drink and that the decision to drive after consuming any alcohol inherently increases the risk of danger for themselves and others on the road.
Additionally, stricter laws with harsher mandatory minimum sentences for offenders and more severe penalties for repeat offenders are needed. The Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden, could make advanced drunk driving prevention technology a standard safety feature in new vehicles, potentially saving more than 9,000 lives each year.
