Pop superstar Justin Timberlake is set to plead guilty in a Sag Harbor court on Friday in connection to a DWI arrest that took place in June, according to local reports.
Justin Timberlake Accepted DWI Plea Deal
Initially, Timberlake’s attorney, Ed Burke, denied the charges, asserting that the singer was not intoxicated and should not have been arrested. “The most important fact to know about this case is that Justin was not intoxicated and should not have been arrested for DWI,” Burke stated in July.
However, the latest reports from TMZ and Newsday suggest that Timberlake is preparing to accept a plea deal. Sources close to the case indicate that the original DWI charge — typically issued for a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher — will be reduced to a “driving while ability impaired” charge. This lesser violation carries a fine of $300-$500 and a temporary suspension of Timberlake’s driver’s license.
Timberlake is expected to appear in person before Justice Carl Irace to formally enter his plea. According to reports, Timberlake explained to officers during his arrest that he was following friends home after having just one martini, but there’s a catch: the arresting officer noted Timberlake’s bloodshot and glassy eyes and said he performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Timberlake also refused to take a Breathalyzer test at the time, which led to an automatic one-year license suspension, as required by New York state law.
According to People, Timberlake is next scheduled to play on Sept. 28 in Newark, N.J. and will be on the road through June 2025.
Justin Timberlake made it to the tabloids in a very rough moment after being arrested for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol.
According to media reports, the singer was later released after remaining in police custody for a few hours.
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Sources with direct knowledge of the matter initially stated that it was simply a traffic violation, however, local police informed TMZ that an arrest is not made for a minor violation.
His recent arrest indicates that even though Justin stopped drinking to adopt a healthier lifestyle, his old demons may have returned.