Justin Timberlake is expected to admit guilt on Friday after being arrested for drunken driving in the Hamptons back in June. The singer and actor will appear at Sag Harbor Village Court to formally enter a plea, according to prosecutors. Although the details of the agreement were not disclosed, a source revealed that Timberlake will admit to a lesser offense of “driving while ability impaired,” which entails a fine of $300 to $500 and a 90-day license suspension.
The pop star originally pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated, resulting in a suspension of his driver’s license. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office declined to comment ahead of the hearing, as did Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke.
Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor after police stated he ran a stop sign, swerved out of his lane, and appeared intoxicated. Court filings mentioned his bloodshot eyes, slowed speech, unsteady gait, and poor performance on sobriety tests. The 43-year-old reportedly told the officer he had consumed one martini and was following friends home.
Subsequently, Timberlake’s license suspension in New York is likely to affect his ability to drive in other states. Legal expert Kenneth Gober explained that under the interstate Driver’s License Compact, license suspensions in one state should apply to all states, even though enforcement might take time. Timberlake, who refused a Breathalyzer test, can still easily arrange for a driver, noted Gober.
The Grammy winner has been silent about the arrest but alluded to it during a performance in Chicago shortly after the incident. Timberlake is on tour in support of his latest album and has upcoming shows in Newark, New Jersey, and Brooklyn. His representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Despite the legal issues, Timberlake remains focused on his music career, continuing to entertain fans with his performances on tour.
