Justin Timberlake is expected to plead guilty on Friday following his June arrest in the Hamptons for drunken driving. The singer-turned-actor will appear in Sag Harbor Village Court to formally enter a new plea, admitting guilt to a lesser offense of 'driving while ability impaired,' a traffic violation that carries a $300 to $500 fine and a 90-day license suspension.
Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York, after police said he ran a stop sign, veered out of his lane, and exhibited signs of impairment. Police reported that the 43-year-old had bloodshot and glassy eyes, slowed speech, unsteady gait, and performed poorly on sobriety tests. He told the officer he had consumed one martini and was following friends home.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's office declined to comment on the case ahead of the hearing. Timberlake's attorney also refrained from making any statements. The pop star's original plea of not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated was changed to the new plea agreement.
Timberlake's license suspension in New York may impact his ability to drive in other states due to the interstate Driver's License Compact, which shares information about license suspensions and traffic violations among states. Despite potential delays in reflecting the suspension across state lines, the pop star has the means to arrange for alternative transportation.
While Timberlake has not publicly addressed the arrest, he alluded to it during a performance in Chicago shortly after the incident. The 10-time Grammy winner has been on tour in support of his latest album and is scheduled to perform in the New York City area in the coming weeks.
