Justin Timberlake told police he was in town as part of a “World Tour” when he was picked up for driving drunk in the Hamptons in 2024 in arrest footage that was released on Friday.
The footage, which runs roughly eight hours, includes the initial stop after Sag Harbor police said he was veering out of his lane and failing to completely stop at stop signs. Officers also noted signs of intoxication during their conversation with Timberlake, reporting that the vehicle smelled of alcohol.
Timberlake admitted to police that he had one martini before getting behind the wheel and following some friends home after a night out. The officer eventually asked why Timberlake was in the Hamptons.
“I’m on a world tour,” said Timberlake.
“Doing what?” the officer replied.
“Hard to explain,” Timberlake said.
After stammering a while, he replied, “World tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.”
The officer eventually responded: “You are Justin Timberlake? Do you have a license with you?”
You can see some of the highlights of the arrest in the below video.
Failed Field Sobriety Tests
Timberlake eventually exited the vehicle and attempted to perform some field sobriety tests, which he failed.
“These are like really hard tests,” Timberlake said after attempting to perform the heel-to-toe straight line test.
Timberlake refused to submit to a breathalyzer, but was still booked on DWI charges. He eventually pleaded guilty to impaired driving in September of 2024. His lawyers also sued to block the release of the arrest video, saying it would cause “severe and irreparable harm” to Timberlake’s reputation. However, in a joint filing with the village on Friday, both sides agreed to disclose a redacted version of the footage. His lawyers acknowledged that the shortened video “does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy” under the state’s public information law and agreed to its release.
As part of the plea deal, which knocked down his initial misdemeanor charge to a noncriminal traffic violation, Timberlake agreed to give a public safety announcement against the perils of drunken driving. He was also sentenced to a $500 fine, 25 hours of community service and handed a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
Whether you’re a well-known celebrity or an average Joe who had one too many drinks before getting behind the wheel, we’re here for you. Let us build a strong defense and help you avoid a worst case scenario by seeing if we can beat the charges or help negotiate a favorable plea deal. For more information on how we’ll do this, or for assistance with a different criminal matter, pick up the phone and reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
