Justin Timberlake Takes Plea Deal For DWI

In Suffolk County, New York, prosecutors have agreed to drop a Driving While Intoxicated charge against pop star Justin Timberlake, who pleaded guilty to one count of driving while impaired on Friday morning.

Timberlake, 43, was arrested in June in Sag Harbor for driving his BMW while “in an intoxicated condition.” Police reported that he left a bar at the American Hotel after midnight, went through a stop sign and failed to stay in his lane. An officer described him as “unable to divide attention” and said he failed to perform “standardized field sobriety tests.”

Timberlake told police he “had one martini and I followed my friends home.”

In New York, the law dictates that a blood alcohol content of over .05  is evidence an individual is impaired, while a BAC of .08 or higher is evidence of intoxication.

In August, Timberlake pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor DWI charge through a virtual court, where the judge suspended his license. Were he convicted, he would have faced a maximum of one year in prison or a fine of $2,500.

Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke, had previously argued, “The police made a number of very significant errors in this case” and that Timberlake was not under the influence. However, in court on Friday morning, Timberlake admitted he had consumed alcoholic beverages before driving.

Timberlake’s plea deal was accepted. He must pay a $500 fine and complete 25 hours of community service in the next year. Timberlake said he was grateful for the opportunity to learn to make better decisions. He acknowledged on social media he had worked hard for and said he intended to live up to his personal standards and values.

Timberlake has been on tour throughout the summer to promote his recent album, Everything I Thought It Was. His next scheduled performance is in New Jersey on September 28.