Justin Timberlake Makes Plea Amidst Viral DWI Court Hearings

On the morning of Friday, September 13th, famed celebrity Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty to a DWI charge in court. 

According to court documentation, Timberlake was arrested around midnight on June 18th, 2024. Officers of the Sag Harbor Police Department saw him running a stop sign before veering out of his lane. Police noted that he smelled of alcohol despite his claims that he had only had one martini that night. 

Originally, his charges were a misdemeanor for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Throughout those hearings, Timberlake and his team pleaded not guilty. After some negotiation, Timberlake’s team was able to convince the judge to reduce the charges to a non-criminal traffic violation. 

In addition to the reduced charge, the judge approved a deal in which Timberlake would pay a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge, serve 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choice, have his license suspended for 90 days, and deliver a public service announcement on the dangers of driving while impaired.

The judge was seemingly pleased with the reduced charges. They claimed that Timberlake’s speeches in court were honest and “from the heart.” The judge noted that this was Timberlake’s first offense, so his charges did not have to be as severe. He also recognized the power of Timberlake giving a public service announcement, believing it could reach others inclined to make the same mistakes.

Public Debate Over Timberlake’s Hearing 

The public has been ablaze with debate and conversation in reaction to Justin Timberlake’s plea deal. Some people agree with the judge, noting that it was a “stupid mistake” for the star rather than a character-defining moment. Others disagree, stating that they feel he is getting preferential treatment for being a celebrity. They also argue that reducing the charges could signal a lack of respect or concern for the DWI investigation process.

Members of the group overseeing the case have addressed many of these concerns. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney stated, “Mr. Timberlake received the same treatment as any other defendant…justice should be applied equally to all individuals, regardless of their wealth or celebrity status.”

One community member in the courtroom, Alisa McMorris, has a personal story that makes this case deeply important for her. In 2018, she faced the tragic loss of her 12-year-old son at the hands of a drunk driver. 

She supported the reduced charges with the caveat of giving a public service announcement. “Justin has such a huge platform for the next generation. People listen to him. Five words I tell the kids when I go to high schools are, ‘How are we getting home?’ he spoke about that. Make a plan. I don’t want another sister or family to have to go through what we did,” she said in a touching statement.

Justin Timberlake’s Public Announcement

After Justin Timberlake’s plea deal, he immediately went to a nearby media team to make a public safety statement. He admitted to the mistake, saying, “I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself, and this was not that.” 

He said, “Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car…There are so many alternatives. Call a friend. Take an Uber. There are 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.” 

Also, following Justin Timberlake’s plea deal, his attorney went public with another statement. In his statement, he maintained that Timberlake had only one drink in two hours that night, regardless of his performance on a field sobriety test. In his own words, “Contrary to what was reported, he wasn’t drinking other peoples’ drinks, or warned in advance not to drive… adding that the lesser charge Timberlake pleaded to is “consistent with these facts.”

His attorney also clarified the gratitude that Timberlake and his team had for the hearing’s outcome. At the end of the day, Timberlake understood that his actions were irresponsible and unsafe. He is happy that he was able to make a public safety announcement and is looking forward to making a difference through work at a non-profit organization.