Justin Timberlake is set to plead guilty on Friday following his June arrest in the Hamptons for driving under the influence. The former boy band singer-turned-solo artist and actor will formally enter the plea during his appearance at Sag Harbor Village Court, according to prosecutors.
While the specific terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, a source familiar with the case revealed that Timberlake intends to plead guilty to a lesser charge of “driving while ability impaired,” a traffic violation carrying a fine between $300 to $500 and a 90-day suspension of his driver’s license. This individual spoke on the condition of anonymity, pending the judge’s approval of the deal on Friday.
Initially, Timberlake had entered a not guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. His driver’s license was subsequently suspended during a court hearing last month.
Both Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office and Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke, declined to provide comments ahead of the upcoming hearing.
The 43-year-old Tennessee native was arrested shortly after midnight on June 18 in Sag Harbor, New York. Police reported that Timberlake ran a stop sign in the village center, veered out of his lane, and exhibited signs of intoxication upon exiting his BMW, including the smell of alcohol. Court documents indicated that Timberlake’s eyes appeared “bloodshot and glassy,” his speech was “slowed,” he was unsteady on his feet, and he performed poorly on sobriety tests. Timberlake reportedly admitted to having one martini and stated he was following friends home.
Sag Harbor, a former whaling village referenced in Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” is located within the Hamptons, a series of seaside communities approximately 100 miles east of New York City.
A legal expert suggested that the suspension of Timberlake’s license in New York could influence his driving privileges in other states. Kenneth Gober, managing partner at Lee, Gober & Reyna in Austin, Texas, explained that refusing a Breathalyzer test, as Timberlake did, leads to an automatic license suspension under New York state law—an action typically recognized by other states through the interstate Driver’s License Compact. This means a license suspended in one state should be suspended in all states. However, Gober acknowledged that such updates can take time to be reflected across state lines. Given Timberlake’s resources, arranging for a driver is a manageable alternative, and driving is not essential for his profession.
Timberlake’s representatives did not respond to inquiries for comments. The ten-time Grammy winner has not publicly addressed the arrest but alluded to it during a Chicago performance just days afterward, remarking to the audience, “It’s been a tough week, but you’re here, and I’m here. Nothing can change this moment right now.”
Timberlake has been touring for months to promote his latest album. He is scheduled to return to the New York City area soon with concerts in Newark, New Jersey, and Brooklyn.
