Justin Timberlake, the famous pop star, had his driving licence suspended in the state of New York after pleading not guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated. The 43-year-old singer was arrested on 18 June for going through a stop sign and failing to stay on the right side of the road.
Timberlake appeared virtually from Europe, where he is currently on tour, as he was formally charged with the crime in Sag Harbor, New York. The Sag Harbor Village Justice Justice Carl Irace suspended Timberlake’s driving licence for an undetermined period, as is standard after a DWI arrest. Timberlake’s lawyer denied that he was under the influence at the wheel and is pushing for the charges to be dismissed.
During the virtual court hearing, Timberlake wore a black-collared shirt and answered “yes” to questions from the judge. He was appearing from Germany, where he is preparing to perform in Antwerp, Belgium, this weekend. The 10-time Grammy winner missed his first court hearing last week due to his world tour, called Everything I Thought It Was.
The incident occurred in Sag Harbor in the Hamptons, a popular summer destination for celebrities on Long Island. When officers pulled him over, Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and he allegedly had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. He refused a breathalyzer test and performed poorly on sobriety tests, according to police reports.
Despite the charges, Timberlake’s lawyer has been vocal in defending his client, stating that he was not intoxicated at the time of the arrest. In New York, penalties for charges related to driving while intoxicated can include up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and the suspension of a driver’s licence for at least six months.
Timberlake, who has been open about his struggles with excessive drinking in the past, referred to the arrest days afterwards at a performance in Chicago, telling the crowd, “It’s been a tough week.” The case is ongoing as Timberlake continues his tour in Europe.
