Singer Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty to driving while impaired Friday, according to multiple outlets, entering a plea deal in New York that includes a fine and other punishments for the noncriminal traffic violation.
Timberlake will pay a $500 fine and a $260 surcharge for the violation, according to the Associated Press, and was also sentenced to 25 hours of community service alongside an agreement to appear in a public service announcement about drunk driving.
The plea is linked to the singer’s arrest in the Hamptons three months ago, when he ran a stop sign and swerved into another lane before being pulled over by an officer who described Timberlake as having bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol.
Timberlake was initially charged with driving while intoxicated—a misdemeanor he pleaded not guilty to before striking a plea deal earlier this week for the lesser charge of driving while impaired.
Edward Burke Jr., Timberlake’s lawyer, said after Timberlake’s hearing Friday his client only had one drink in two hours before his arrest, the AP reported.
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“Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car,” Timberlake told reporters after the hearing. “There’s so many alternatives.”
Timberlake, who failed field sobriety tests, refused to have his blood alcohol content tested and later had his license suspended, made headlines with the arrest, which sparked memes about comments Timberlake reportedly made to the officer about how the incident would “ruin the tour.” Timberlake was referring to his “The Forget Tomorrow World Tour,” which started in April and runs through December. The singer spoke about his arrest during a stop in Chicago, telling fans, “It’s been a tough week, but you’re here and I’m here.”
Police: Justin Timberlake Ran Stop Sign, Swerved Before Drunken Driving Arrest In Hamptons (Forbes)
Justin Timberlake Strikes Plea Deal In Drunk Driving Case, Reports Say (Forbes)
