Justin Timberlake pleads guilty to impaired driving in New York
Justin Timberlake has pleaded guilty to a non-criminal traffic violation of impaired driving following his arrest in New York earlier this year.
The 43-year-old appeared in person at Sag Harbor Village Court on Friday to enter a new plea to the lesser charge.
The judge sentenced Timberlake to 25 to 40 hours of community service and he was ordered to issue a public safety announcement. He will also pay a fine of $500 (£380).The judge’s sentencing was agreed upon by the defence and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.The community service can be done with a non-profit of Timberlake’s choosing and must be completed within one year.When the judge asked Timberlake if he was willing to accept these conditions, he replied, “I would be honoured to.”
In a statement during the proceedings, Timberlake expressed remorse for his actions.
He said he grew up in a small town and appreciated the kind of strain his arrest has made on Sag Harbor. He said he has had a lot of time to reflect on his actions.“I did not live up to the standards that I try to hold for myself," he said.Timberlake said he is “grateful for the opportunity to move forward” and use his platform to hopefully help others make “better decisions.““I should’ve had better judgment,” he said to the judge. “ I understand the seriousness of this.”
Last month, the Cry Me A River singer pleaded not guilty to a count of driving while intoxicated charge, a misdemeanour.
Had he been convicted; he could have faced a maximum of one year in prison and a $2,500 (£1,905) fine.
Timberlake has had his licence suspended.
He was arrested in June after police say he was observed driving a 2025 BMW “in an intoxicated condition”.
Officers said he left the bar at The American Hotel shortly after midnight, drove down Main Street and failed to stop at a stop sign and stay in his lane.
Police also said Timberlake failed a field sobriety test and refused a breathalyser test several times, saying: “No, I’m not doing a chemical test.”
In court filings, police also said the 43-year-old Tennessee native’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and that he had “slowed speech".Timberlake’s attorney later disputed that the performer was intoxicated, arguing he should not have been arrested.
Timberlake told police he “had one martini and I followed my friends home,” according to court records.
The pop star is next scheduled to perform on his Forget Tomorrow Tour in New Jersey on September 28.
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