NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Timberlake struggled with a field sobriety test after being pulled over while driving. According to newly released video, police arrested him on suspicion of drunk driving in 2024, following a series of events in the Hamptons area of New York.
“This is like a really difficult test,” Timberlake remarked to an officer at one point during the incident.
Footage spanning nearly eight hours captures the moments after the Sag Harbor police say Timberlake was pulled over for running a stop sign. He had appeared to veer off the road and exited his BMW with a noticeable smell of alcohol.
The former NSYNC member shared with the police that he had consumed a martini and was following friends home from a local spot in the Hamptons, a prestigious beach town situated about 100 miles east of New York City.
When asked what brought him to the area, Timberlake casually replied, “I’m traveling the world.”
“What do you do?” the officer inquired.
“It’s hard to explain,” Timberlake said, and after a brief hesitation, added, “World tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.”
To that, the officer responded, “Are you Justin Timberlake? Do you have a license?”
Timberlake, who eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, was instructed to perform a heel-to-toe walk and to balance on one leg. He appeared anxious and even apologized while admitting his heart was racing.
“I’m a little nervous,” he confided.
Seated in the back of the patrol car, he asked, “Why are you arresting me?”
Upon arriving at the police station, he expressed surprise at being told he would be detained overnight, saying, “Are you going to stay here all night? You guys are wild.”
Timberlake requested the officer keep the cell light on as the door closed behind him.
The Sag Harbor Police Department released this footage after reaching an agreement on its release with Timberlake’s attorney. Several media organizations, including the Associated Press, had sought access to the video.
Timberlake’s attorney previously filed a suit claiming that releasing the footage would violate Timberlake’s privacy, exposing him to personal scrutiny and harm to his reputation. However, in a joint statement, his legal team later acknowledged that the video didn’t represent an unreasonable breach of privacy according to state law, thus permitting its release.
Representatives for Timberlake did not respond to requests for comments on the matter.
Sag Harbor officials expressed satisfaction with the resolution, stating they had worked diligently to comply with public record laws throughout the process.
“From the beginning, we have adhered to our Freedom of Information Act obligations,” the statement noted, emphasizing that all materials were reviewed and edited cautiously for safety and privacy concerns.
In September 2024, Timberlake entered a guilty plea for impaired driving.
As part of a plea bargain, he agreed to promote public safety regarding drunk driving. This deal resulted in the dropping of the original misdemeanor charge, modifying it instead to a non-criminal traffic violation.
He faced a $500 fine, was mandated to complete 25 hours of community service, and had his driving privileges suspended for 90 days.
