Pop icon Justin Timberlake appeared in a Sag Harbor courtroom on Friday, pleading guilty to a lesser charge of driving while ability impaired following his arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in June. The Grammy-winning artist was sentenced to 25 hours of community service and faced a 90-day suspension of his New York State driver's license.
Dressed in a black shirt, brown pants, and a pearl necklace, Timberlake arrived at the courthouse shortly after 11 a.m., accompanied by his attorney Edward Burke Jr., security personnel, and his music manager Johnny Wright. The courtroom was filled with media and spectators eager to witness the proceedings involving the former *NSYNC star.
Judge Carl Irace presided over the hearing, expressing initial reservations about the proposed plea deal, which he described as "surprisingly favorable" to Timberlake. "Community service should be required and is an essential part of taking responsibility," Judge Irace stated, adding the service requirement to the agreement. The judge emphasized the importance of accountability, telling Timberlake that the additional conditions were necessary to ensure justice was served.
Timberlake accepted the revised terms without hesitation. When asked if he agreed to the conditions, he replied, "I would be honored to."
As part of the plea agreement, Timberlake must complete his community service within one year at a non-profit organization of his choosing. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $500 and produce a public safety announcement addressing the dangers of impaired driving.
Outside the courthouse, Timberlake faced a throng of reporters and cameras. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed remorse for his actions. "Many of you have probably been covering me for a lot of my life," he began. "I try to hold myself to a very high standard. This was not that."
"I found myself in a position where I could have made a better decision," he continued. "I've had some time to reflect on that. What I'd like to say to everyone watching and listening is, even if you've had one drink, don't get behind the wheel of a car. There are so many alternatives-call a friend, take an Uber, use a travel app, take a taxi."
"This is a mistake that I made, but I'm hoping that whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have," Timberlake added.
The incident occurred in the early hours of June 18. According to court documents obtained by media outlets, Timberlake was pulled over by authorities after allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign and veering out of his lane in his 2025 BMW on Main Street in Sag Harbor. The arresting officer noted that Timberlake exhibited "bloodshot and glossy" eyes, "slowed speech," and was "unsteady afoot." The officer also reported a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" emanating from the singer's breath.
Timberlake reportedly told the officer he had consumed "one martini" earlier that evening. He allegedly refused to take a breathalyzer test multiple times, stating, "No, I'm not doing a chemical test," according to the arrest report.
Attorney Edward Burke Jr. defended his client, asserting that Timberlake was not intoxicated at the time of the arrest. "The most important fact to know about this case is that Justin was not intoxicated and should not have been arrested for DWI," Burke said in a statement. "He had one drink in two hours. He wasn't rude, he wasn't obnoxious, he wasn't belligerent. He was polite, cooperative, and respectful during his entire encounter with law enforcement."
Despite the defense's claims, the prosecution maintained that Timberlake had failed standardized field sobriety tests and that his actions warranted legal consequences. The original charges included driving while intoxicated-a misdemeanor that could have resulted in up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine-along with citations for failing to keep right and not stopping at a stop sign.
The advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) criticized the plea deal. In a statement, a spokesperson said, "MADD does not support plea deals in cases involving impaired driving, as we believe justice should be fully served for such a serious crime. Driving while impaired is a dangerous and reckless choice that puts lives at risk."
The organization called on Timberlake to use his platform to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. "We hope Timberlake's future decisions reflect the seriousness of this issue and contribute meaningfully to our cause," the statement added.
Following the incident, Timberlake addressed fans during a concert stop on his "Forget Tomorrow Tour" in Chicago. "It's been a tough week," he told the audience. "I know I'm hard to love sometimes, but you keep loving me right back."
The case has drawn significant media attention, adding to a tumultuous period for the singer. Earlier this year, Timberlake faced public scrutiny following revelations in Britney Spears' memoir, where she discussed their past relationship and alleged that the media painted her as a "harlot who'd broken the heart of America's golden boy."
Despite the personal and legal challenges, Timberlake remains focused on his career. He is scheduled to perform next on September 28 in New Jersey as part of his ongoing tour.
Concluding his statement outside the courthouse, Timberlake expressed gratitude toward those involved in the legal process. "I just want to say to everyone who's been involved-from everyone in the courtroom to everyone outside, including the police department-that I'm very grateful," he said. "We can all be more safe out there, and I'm going to do my part. I hope that everyone else does their part."
