Justin Timberlake urged drivers not to get behind the wheel of a car after even a single alcoholic drink on Friday, shortly after pleading guilty to driving while impaired in New York’s Hamptons earlier this year.
The public safety announcement in front of the Sag Harbor police department was part of the plea deal that knocked down the misdemeanor charge he’d faced to a non-criminal traffic violation. The boy band singer-turned-solo star and actor was also sentenced to a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service at the nonprofit of his choosing and a 90-day suspension of his license.
“I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself, and this was not that,” Timberlake told the news media and other onlookers after the hearing in the adjacent Sag Harbor Village Court.
“Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car,” he said. “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.”
The NSYNC star made similar comments during the court hearing and said he grew up in a small town and appreciated the kind of strain his arrest has made on a community like Sag Harbor.
The one-time whaling village, which is mentioned in Herman Melville’s classic novel “Moby-Dick,” is nestled amid the Hamptons, an area of seaside communities around 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City.
Police said the 43-year-old Tennessee native told the officer he had had one martini and was following some friends home. He originally pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.
“I should have had better judgment,” he said to the judge. “I understand the seriousness of this.”
Judge Carl Irace said he did not oppose reducing the charge Timberlake faced since he was a first time offender and thanked him for speaking sincerely and “from the heart.” But he questioned the appropriateness of the proposed sentence, dismissing the public announcement Timberlake intended to make shortly after the court proceedings as “unsatisfactory.”
Irace said imposing an additional requirement of community service would give the singer more time to reflect on his actions.
“My experience is that these conditions can prove helpful and even gratifying for the accused,” he said.
Prosecutor Patrick O’Connell told the judge they had weighed recommending community service, but thought a statement from Timberlake would be a more valuable public service because of its potential to influence a younger generation worldwide.
He also said Timberlake’s remarks would hopefully show that “no one is above the law,” not even the wealthy and famous.
“Mr. Timberlake received the same treatment as any other defendant,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney added in a statement after the hearing. “Justice should be applied equally to all individuals, regardless of their wealth or celebrity status.”
Among those in the courtroom Friday was a local mother whose 12-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver in 2018.
Alisa McMorris, who now runs a foundation in her son Andrew’s memory, said she hoped Timberlake’s remarks would help bring more awareness to the dangers of driving under the influence.
“Justin has such a huge platform to the next generation. People listen to him,” she said alongside her daughter after the singer had departed. “Five words I tell the kids when I go to the high schools is ‘How are we getting home?’ and he spoke about that. Make a plan. I don’t want another sister or a family to have to go through what we did.”
Edward Burke Jr., Timberlake’s attorney, maintained outside the court after Friday’s hearing that his client only had one drink in two hours at the American Hotel before his arrest.
“Contrary to what was reported, he wasn’t drinking other peoples’ drinks, or warned in advance not to drive,” said Burke, adding that the lesser charge Timberlake pleaded to is “consistent with these facts.”
At one point in the hearing, Timberlake promised Judge Irace he wouldn’t “go back” to driving after having a drink again. The judge, who had otherwise been serious in tone, playfully interjected: “But come back to Sag Harbor! It’s a great place.”
Justin Timberlake's Plea Deal and Community Service
Timberlake's guilty plea was part of a plea deal that reduced the original charge of driving while intoxicated to a lesser charge of driving while impaired. In addition to the fine and license suspension, Timberlake was also sentenced to 25 hours of community service. This sentence was imposed at the suggestion of Judge Irace, who felt that a public statement alone was not enough for Timberlake to learn from his mistake.
The Impact of Timberlake's Actions and Plea
Timberlake's arrest and plea deal have sparked a conversation about the dangers of driving under the influence, particularly among young people. The singer's high profile and influence have made his case a teachable moment, and his public statement urging others not to drink and drive has been widely praised. His plea deal and sentence also highlight the importance of accountability, regardless of wealth or status.
A Teachable Moment
This incident has served as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence, with Timberlake himself acknowledging the gravity of his actions. His willingness to take responsibility for his mistake, combined with his public service announcement, has resonated with many, highlighting the importance of making responsible choices when it comes to drinking and driving. This case underscores the need for continued education and awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, and the consequences that can result from such behavior. It also showcases the importance of holding everyone accountable, irrespective of their fame or fortune, to ensure a safer driving environment for all.
