Justin Timberlake has pleaded guilty to driving while impaired, a non-criminal traffic offense, as part of a plea deal to resolve his drink-driving case in New York state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the pop star was originally charged with driving while intoxicated, but the charge was reduced as part of the deal.
As part of the plea deal, Timberlake has been ordered to pay a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge, do 25 hours of community service, and make a public safety announcement outside court. “Even if you’ve had one drink don’t get behind the wheel of a car,” Timberlake said. “This is a mistake I have made, but I hope whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this. I know I certainly have.”
Timberlake was arrested on June 18 for failing to stop at a stop sign and failing to stay on the right side of the road in the Hamptons.
When officers pulled him over, Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy”, and a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath”, according to a charging document. He refused a breathalyzer test and performed poorly on sobriety tests, the police said.
Outside the court, Timberlake’s lawyer said the pop star had one drink over the space of two hours that night.
“A few weeks ago, I addressed all of you and said my client was not driving while intoxicated – after much discussion and a thorough review, today the DA’s office decided not to move forward with that charge.”
