Justin Timberlake pleads guilty to lesser charge in drink-driving case
Justin Timberlake has reached a plea deal to resolve his drink-driving case in New York state. The pop star, who was initially charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of driving while impaired, a non-criminal traffic violation.
As part of the agreement, Timberlake has been fined $500, with an additional $260 surcharge. He has also been ordered to complete 25 hours of community service and deliver a public safety message outside the court. Addressing the incident, Timberlake urged the public to avoid drinking and driving, stating, “Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. This is a mistake I have made, but I hope whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this.”
The 10-time Grammy winner was arrested on June 18 in the Hamptons after running a stop sign and failing to stay on the correct side of the road. According to police, Timberlake exhibited signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes and a strong smell of alcohol. He declined to take a breathalyser test and failed sobriety tests. When questioned, Timberlake reportedly admitted to having one martini.
Timberlake’s lawyer defended him, claiming he had consumed one drink over two hours, and emphasised that the district attorney decided not to pursue the DWI charge after further review.
Timberlake, who has been open about his past struggles with alcohol, referenced the arrest during a concert in Chicago shortly after the incident, telling the audience, “It’s been a tough week.”
In a previous court appearance, Timberlake denied the DWI charge, which could have led to jail time and had his driver’s license temporarily suspended, which is standard procedure after a DWI arrest.
