Justin Timberlake pleads guilty to driving under the influence during a stop in Sag Harbor in June, saying he made a “mistake”

Ten-time Grammy winner Justin Timberlake, who was arrested and charged with drunken driving in Sag Harbor on June 18, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence on Friday, saying he had learned from his “mistake” and urging others to do the same.

Sag Harbor Village Judge Carl Irace sentenced Timberlake to 25 hours of community service for a nonprofit of his choice and ordered him to pay a $500 fine and a $260 surcharge. Irace also ordered the musician and actor to issue a public safety announcement and suspended his New York State driver’s license for 90 days.

“I want to say to everyone watching and listening: Do not get behind the wheel of a car, even if you’ve only had one drink,” Timberlake told media and fans outside the Sag Harbor Municipal Building. “There are so many alternatives. Call a friend, take an Uber, there are many travel apps, take a taxi. That’s a mistake I made, but I hope everyone watching and listening right now can learn from that mistake.”

“I know I certainly have,” Timberlake added.

In court, Timberlake, 43, of Franklin, Tennessee, expressed remorse for his actions, saying he grew up in a small town and understands the strain his arrest has put on Sag Harbor.

“I should have judged better,” he told the judge. “I understand the seriousness of the situation.”

Timberlake pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated after his arrest, but after negotiations with Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office, he agreed to plead guilty to the lesser, non-criminal charge. Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke Jr., praised prosecutors for agreeing to a “fair resolution of the case.”

“Today, Mr. Timberlake pleaded guilty and accepted responsibility for driving under the influence,” Tierney said in a statement. “We appreciate his willingness to hold himself accountable for his conduct and to use his platform to raise public awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence… Mr. Timberlake was treated the same as any other defendant. Justice should be served equally to all people, regardless of their wealth or celebrity status.”

Timberlake was driving a gray 2025 BMW with Florida plates south on Madison Street at 12:17 a.m. on June 18 when he ignored a stop sign at the intersection with Jermain Avenue, Sag Harbor police and the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office said at the time. He also failed to keep to the right, police said.

His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, ​​his breath smelled strongly of alcohol, his speech was slowed and he was unsteady on his feet, police said. The report noted that Timberlake “performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests.”

Police said Timberlake had difficulty speaking when he was looking for his vehicle registration. He also had trouble completing a “walk and turn test,” turning the wrong way and missing steps, they said. He refused to take a breathalyzer test.

Timberlake said he was drinking a martini at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor and following friends home when he was stopped by police.

Timberlake, wearing a black T-shirt, black cardigan and pearl necklace, spent part of Friday morning in Burke’s office, which is directly across from City Hall. He was accompanied by his legal team and security guards as he crossed the street and pushed through a crowd of reporters, photographers, cameramen and fans to enter the building.

Among those present at Friday’s hearing was Alisa McMorris of Wading River, whose 12-year-old son, Andrew McMorris, was killed by a drunk driver in Manorville in 2018. She said she believes Timberlake is taking responsibility for his actions.

“As a mother who has lost a child, you want to believe that people are good people, and I want to give him the opportunity to show us that he is good and see what he does with it,” McMorris said. “Only time will tell.”

McMorris, who attended the hearing with her daughter Arianna, said she hopes Timberlake will donate some of his volunteer work to the Andrew McMorris Foundation, which was created after her son’s death to raise awareness about drunk driving.

“I hope he takes the opportunity to choose a nonprofit that prevents drunk and impaired driving,” she said. “I was happy to hear him say, ‘One drink and you don’t get behind the wheel.’ That’s a lesson for all of us.”