Justin Timberlake pleads guilty to DWI, warns 'Don’t get behind the wheel'

He faces a $500 fine, community service, and a 90 day license suspension, admitting he fell short of his own standards

Justin Timberlake has made a public plea urging drivers to avoid getting behind the wheel after consuming any alcohol. 

This statement came shortly after the pop star and actor pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in Sag Harbor, New York. 

Timberlake’s arrest occurred in June when he was stopped for veering out of his lane and running a stop sign. The singer admitted to having had a single martini before the incident.

As part of his plea deal, the initial misdemeanor charge was reduced to a non-criminal traffic violation, accompanied by a $500 fine, 25 hours of community service, and a 90-day suspension of his driver’s license. 

Timberlake addressed the crowd, stating, “Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car... Call a friend. Take an Uber.”

The judge overseeing the case, Carl Irace, expressed concern over the proposed sentence, deeming Timberlake’s public safety announcement “unsatisfactory” and added community service to his punishment. 

Prosecutors argued that Timberlake’s global influence might help spread the message against drunk driving. 

In attendance was Alisa McMorris, a mother whose son was killed by a drunk driver in 2018, who supported Timberlake's message, saying, “Justin has such a huge platform to the next generation. People listen to him.”