Singer and actor Justin Timberlake issued a public warning on Friday, urging people not to drive after consuming alcohol, following his guilty plea for driving while impaired in the Hamptons earlier this year. Timberlake, speaking in front of the Sag Harbor police department, emphasized the dangers of drinking and driving, calling his actions a mistake from which others can learn.
The former NSYNC star’s public statement was part of a plea deal that reduced his misdemeanor charge to a non-criminal traffic violation. He was sentenced to a $500 fine, a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service, and a 90-day suspension of his driver’s license.
“I hold myself to a high standard, and this was not that,” Timberlake told the media and onlookers after his hearing at the Sag Harbor Village Court. He urged drivers to use alternatives such as rideshare apps or taxis, adding, “This is a mistake I made, but I hope others can learn from it.”
Timberlake was arrested after midnight on June 18, when police stopped him for running a stop sign and veering out of his lane. Officers reported that Timberlake smelled of alcohol and admitted to having one martini while following friends home. Initially charged with driving while intoxicated, Timberlake pleaded not guilty but later accepted a lesser charge.
During the hearing, Timberlake expressed regret, stating he had reflected on his actions and hoped to use his platform to promote responsible behavior. Judge Carl Irace acknowledged Timberlake’s sincerity but questioned the adequacy of the plea deal. He added 25 hours of community service to the sentence, saying it would give Timberlake more time to reflect on his actions.
Prosecutor Patrick O’Connell supported the plea deal, highlighting Timberlake’s potential to influence young people with his public statement. After the hearing, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney emphasized that Timberlake had been treated like any other defendant, stating, “Justice should be applied equally to all individuals, regardless of their wealth or celebrity status.”
Among those attending the hearing was Alisa McMorris, a local mother who lost her 12-year-old son to a drunk driver in 2018. She praised Timberlake for using his platform to raise awareness and said his message could help prevent future tragedies.
Timberlake’s lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., maintained that his client only had one drink over two hours before his arrest. At the end of the hearing, Timberlake promised not to drive after drinking again, with the judge playfully adding, “But come back to Sag Harbor! It’s a great place.”