Justin Timberlake, 43, appeared in court on Sept. 13 in New York and pleaded guilty to driving while impaired. Previously pleading not guilty, the famous singer and actor received a sentence that did not include any prison time. Timberlake admitted to driving on Long Island in the early hours of June 18 after consuming alcohol.
During the proceedings at Sag Harbor Village Court, Village Justice Carl Irace sentenced Timberlake to a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service at a nonprofit organization of his choice and make a public safety announcement.
Throughout the hearing, Timberlake stood and expressed remorse for his actions. He acknowledged the strain his arrest had placed on Sag Harbor and stated that he had reflected deeply on his behavior. He admitted that he had not lived up to his own standards.
Timberlake expressed gratitude for the opportunity to move forward and hoped to use his platform to help others make better decisions. He acknowledged that he should have exercised better judgment and understood the seriousness of the situation.
Justice Irace voiced disappointment with the proposed plea deal offered by prosecutors as it did not allow sufficient time for reflection on Timberlake’s part. Consequently, community service was added as part of the final sentence.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment when approached by reporters regarding this case.
Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor shortly after midnight on June 18. Police reports indicated bloodshot eyes, an odor of alcohol from his breath, impaired attention division, slowed speech, unsteady movement, and poor performance on field sobriety tests.
At a previous virtual hearing where Irace suspended Timberlake’s driver’s license upon pleading not guilty through an attorney Edward Burke Jr., it was claimed that police made significant errors in handling this case.
Timberlake thanked his fans during a concert following his arrest but described it as a challenging week for him personally.
Justin Timberlake gained fame as part of NSYNC before embarking on solo music career alongside acting roles in films like “Alpha Dog” and “Friends With Benefits.”
Please note: This is an ongoing story; updates will follow.
