S Poddar
Justin Timberlake answered to legal consequences today stemming from his June arrest for driving under the influence. The 43-year-old singer and actor appeared in a New York state court where he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired, a non-criminal offense.
The court has fined Timberlake $500 with an additional surcharge of $260. He was also called upon to do 25 hours of community service and take part in a public safety campaign. This comes after he was arrested in Sag Harbor following a police stop for traffic infractions.
Edward Burke Jr., a lawyer for Timberlake, spoke with media outside the courthouse to explain his client’s actions that evening. He said Timberlake had only one drink over a two-hour period at a local hotel and denied any allegations that the singer was acting irresponsibly. He also said that Timberlake was cooperative and courteous during his encounter with police, which they were in return.
Timberlake himself issued a public statement, taking to heart the gravity of his actions and the influence he has as a public figure. He began by addressing the media directly, first recognizing the role the press has played in covering his life. “I try to hold myself to a very high standard,” he said, adding, “This was not one of those times.”
He said that he should have done things differently that night and took the time to remind everyone using his case as an example. He encourages others to consider their options when they have been drinking, like calling a friend or alternative car services like Uber or taxis. Timberlake put in how even just a drink can affect a person’s capability of driving well.
“There’s just so many ways to get home. Just call a friend, Uber, take a taxi,” he continued, acknowledging this was a teachable moment. “This is a mistake that I made, but I hope everyone that is watching and listening can learn from this mistake. And like I said, even one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”
Timberlake also made it a point to thank the community and law enforcement. He could relate to the happening, saying, “I understand the strain this must’ve been on the people of Sag Harbor,” thanking everyone concerned from the bottom of his heart. He concluded by stressing how paramount it is that “We can all be more safe out there, and I’m going to do my part. Hope that everybody else does their part. Thank you very much”.
Inside the courtroom, the pop star addressed himself directly to the judge and admitted that he had failed to live up to his expectations. “I should’ve had better judgment,” he accepted, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
The Grammy-winning artist was arrested in the early morning hours of June 18 after police from the Sag Harbor Village Police Department witnessed him failure to stop at a stop sign and swerve out of his lane while driving his BMW. Court documents showed that Timberlake had bloodshot eyes, and officers smelled an intense odor of alcohol emanating from his breath. The police noted that he was unsteady on his feet, spoke slowly, and failed several field sobriety tests.
Following his arrest, Timberlake overnighted in jail before being arraigned and released from Sag Harbor Village Justice Court. Initial reports suggested that Timberlake denied being intoxicated, his attorney taking to the media in July to defend him publicly. “The most important fact to know about this case is that Justin was not intoxicated and should not have been arrested for DWI,” Burke told People magazine at the time.
Although he was initially opposed to the charges, Timberlake later chose to accept guilt for the lesser charge. The fact that he publicly accepted his failure and also warned about driving under impaired conditions just goes to show how much he has learned from this experience. With community service ahead of him and his professional career still operational, Timberlake takes to the stage to advocate road choices that are far more safe.
