Timberlake Speaks After Pleading Guilty To Impaired Driving
Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired as part of a deal with Suffolk County, New York prosecutors on Friday, related to an incident earlier this year.
According to multiple reports, Sag Harbor Village Justice Carl Irace sentenced Timberlake to 25 hours of community service and required the singer to issue a public safety announcement. Additionally, Timberlake will pay a $500 fine and have his driver’s license suspended in New York State for 90 days, starting Friday.
The sentencing was agreed upon by both the defense and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.
Timberlake is allowed to complete his community service with a non-profit organization of his choosing, and it must be fulfilled within a year. When the judge asked if he was willing to accept these terms, Timberlake responded, “I would be honored to.”
After the court proceedings, Timberlake made a statement outside, saying, “I try to hold myself to a very high standard of myself. And this was not that. This was not that.”
“I found myself in a position where I could have made a different decision, but I’ve had some time to reflect on that,” he added. He also urged people to avoid driving under the influence, stating, “What I’d like to say to everyone watching and listening, 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, there are many travel apps, 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.”
The outcome of Timberlake’s case sparked discussion on Reddit. “I feel like DUI is one of those crimes you shouldn’t be able to take a plea deal in. Drive high or drunk and suffer the consequences,” one user commented. Another said, “Everything is legal for a price.” Others shared personal experiences, including one individual who recalled their mother’s case: “My mom got an automatic 3-month license suspension and 2 years probation and thousands in fines. Wasn’t speeding. She never had any prior, even a speeding ticket or parking ticket.
During Timberlake’s last court appearance in August, Timberlake had pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated. Had he been convicted; he could have faced up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
In New York, a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .05 “is legal evidence that you are impaired,” while a BAC of .08 or higher “is evidence of intoxication,” according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor in June after police reported that he left The American Hotel bar shortly after midnight, drove his 2025 BMW down Main Street, and failed to stop at a stop sign or stay in his lane. Police also stated that Timberlake failed a field sobriety test and refused a breathalyzer test several times, reportedly saying, “No, I’m not doing a chemical test.”
