Justin Timberlake pleads guilty to lesser charge of driving while impaired; issued a public safety announcement CNN

CNN
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Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge of driving while impaired in a deal with Suffolk County New York prosecutors in connection with an incident earlier this year.

Sag Harbor Village Judge Carl Erace sentenced Timberlake to 25 hours of community service and ordered the pop star to issue a public safety declaration. He must also pay a $500 fine and have his New York State driver's license suspended for 90 days beginning Friday.

The sentence was agreed to by the defense and the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office after Judge Ayres expressed disappointment with the proposed plea deal because it “lacked retribution,” calling the initial deal “surprisingly favorable” to Timberlake.

The judge imposed community service, which can be done with a nonprofit of Timberlake's choice and must be completed within a year.

When the judge asked Timberlake if he was willing to accept the terms, he replied, “I would be honored.”

Timberlake entered the courtroom shortly after 11 a.m. wearing a black shirt, brown pants and a pearl necklace surrounded by security and his lawyer.

After the proceedings, the pop star said in a statement outside court, “I try to hold myself to very high standards. And this wasn't it. It wasn't that.”

“I found myself in a position where I could have made a different decision, but I had some time to think about it,” he continued, later adding, “I want to tell everyone who's watching and listening, even if you If you've had a drink, don't get behind the wheel. There are so many options – call a friend, take an Uber, take a taxi And listening they can learn from this mistake. I know I certainly have.”

At his last court hearing in August, Timberlake pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. If he is convicted; He faces a maximum of one year in jail and a $2500 fine.

In New York, a blood alcohol content of more than .05 is “legal evidence that you are impaired,” while “a BAC of .08 or more is evidence of intoxication,” according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor in June after police said he left the bar at the American Hotel shortly after midnight, drove down Main Street in his 2025 BMW and failed to stop at a stop sign and stay in his lane. Police also said Timberlake failed a field sobriety test and refused a breathalyzer test several times, saying, “No, I'm not doing a chemical test.”

Timberlake's attorney Ed Burke said outside court Friday that his client had one drink within two hours.

“Contrary to what was reported, he did not drink other people's drinks or forewarned not to drive. He wasn't rude, he wasn't offensive, he wasn't belligerent,” Burke said before Timberlake issued his PSA. “He was polite, he was cooperative and he was respectful throughout his encounter with law enforcement.”

Timberlake is performing over the summer with his Forget Tomorrow Tour. He is next scheduled to perform in New Jersey on September 28.