Pop singer Justin Timberlake has accepted a plea deal for his drunk driving charge in Hamptons, New York earlier this year. Shortly after pleading guilty, the NSYNC member appeared before the press waiting in front of the Sag Harbor police department to deliver a PSA on drunk driving as part of the deal.
“I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself, and this was not that,” the 43-year-old Timberlake said in the press conference held in the adjacent Sag Harbor Village Court.
The “Social Network” actor continued. “Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. There’s so many alternatives. Call a friend. Take an Uber. There’s many travel apps. Still, take a taxi. This is a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping that whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have.”
In addition, the singer-actor was fined $500 with a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service at the nonprofit of his choosing and a 90-day suspension of his license.
Timberlake agreed to plead guilty to driving while ability impaired, a lesser traffic violation than driving while impaired.
The “Mirrors” hitmaker’s DUI arrest occurred in the wee hours of June 18, when he was caught speeding past a stop sign and veering off lane while driving his 2025 gray BMW in Sag Harbor, Long Island. Mugshots of the Prince of Pop quickly circulated online, garnering massive chatter online, especially given that the “SexyBack” singer was gearing up for a world tour. Later, the father of two would attend court hearings via video links from his European leg of the tour.