Justin Timberlake has addressed the public following a plea deal in his DWI case in Sag Harbor, New York. The 43-year-old singer appeared in court on Friday where he agreed to plead guilty to a lesser offense of driving while ability impaired (DWAI), allowing the original DWI charge to be dismissed.
As part of the plea agreement, Timberlake was fined $500 along with a $260 surcharge and is required to complete 25 hours of community service at a nonprofit of his choice within a year. Additionally, he was instructed to make a public safety announcement, which he delivered shortly after his court appearance.
The presiding judge expressed initial concerns over the leniency of the plea, referring to the penalties as minimal, prompting Timberlake to agree to the community service requirement. Upon leaving the courthouse, Timberlake faced a media crowd eager for his comments.
Following the proceedings, Timberlake reflected on the situation, acknowledging the importance of making responsible choices. “Many of you have probably been covering me for a lot of my life, and as you may know, I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself. And this was not that,” he stated. He urged others to refrain from driving under any influence, emphasizing the availability of alternative transportation options like rideshares and taxis.
Timberlake expressed gratitude towards the Sag Harbor community for their patience amid the attention his case has drawn. He reiterated the message of safety on the roads, committing to do his part while encouraging others to do the same.
His attorney characterized the plea and reduced charge as fair, disputing claims that Timberlake was excessively impaired during the incident. The defense highlighted that Timberlake was cooperative with law enforcement, noting he had consumed just one drink over a couple of hours.
The local District Attorney praised Timberlake’s decision to accept responsibility and utilize his public presence to promote awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. He emphasized that drunk driving poses a serious risk to public safety, calling for personal accountability among all drivers.
Family members of a young victim of a drunk driving incident were present in the courtroom, expressing hope that Timberlake’s platform could inspire significant change in reducing impaired driving incidents.
Timberlake was previously arrested on June 18 after allegedly running a stop sign in Sag Harbor. According to the arrest report, officers detected alcohol on his breath and noted signs of impairment. Timberlake was charged and later released on his own recognizance.
He initially pleaded not guilty during a virtual court session on August 2, where his driving privileges in New York were suspended as a standard response to DWI charges. Intensifying his concert tour, Timberlake is scheduled to perform next at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on September 28, followed by shows in Brooklyn and returning to Newark in early October.