Justin Timberlake’s driver’s license was suspended in New York after he pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated (DWI). He was arrested on June 18 for running a stop sign and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Timberlake, 43, appeared in a virtual court session from Europe, where he is currently on tour, to formally face the charges in Sag Harbor, New York. The judge, Carl Irace, suspended his license for an unspecified time, which is typical after a DWI arrest.
His lawyer denied that Timberlake was under the influence and believes the charges should be dropped. During the court hearing, Timberlake, wearing a black-collared shirt, answered “yes” to the judge’s questions. He was calling in from Germany, where he is preparing for a performance in Belgium this weekend.
Timberlake missed his first court date last week due to his world tour, “Everything I Thought It Was.” The court had to reschedule due to paperwork issues.
He was stopped in Sag Harbor, a celebrity hotspot in the Hamptons, just after midnight. Police reported that Timberlake’s eyes were bloodshot, and his breath smelled strongly of alcohol. He refused a breathalyzer test and didn’t do well on the sobriety tests.
Timberlake reportedly told the officer, “I had one martini and followed my friends home.”
During the hearing, Judge Irace criticized Timberlake’s lawyer for making “irresponsible” comments to the media, warning that he might issue a gag order if it continued.
In New York, DWI penalties can include up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a driver’s license suspension for at least six months. Timberlake, who has previously spoken about his struggles with drinking, mentioned the arrest during a recent concert in Chicago, telling the audience, “It’s been a tough week.”
