Justin Timberlake has pleaded guilty to driving whilst intoxicated.
The American singer-songwriter left fans shocked in June when he was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated in Sag Harbor, New York. The star also received citations for running a red light and failing to stay within his lane whilst driving.
Earlier this week, it was revealed he’d agreed to a plea bargain to have his charges reduced to Driving While Ability Impaired – a lesser charge which can result in a fine of up to $500 (£380) but automatically leads to a 90-day driver license suspension.
On Friday, the Mirrors singer arrived at court to discover his final sentence after lawyers managed a negotiation deal with the prosecution.
He has since been hit with a fine and instructed to carry out community service. The global hit sensation also agreed to participate in a public service announcement to warn others of the dangers of drink driving.
The icon donned a subdued outfit of tan trousers, a black t-shirt, and a dark cardigan as he awaited the judges’ decision at the Hamptons court. The 43-year-old also sported a pair of dark sunglasses and accessorised with pearl necklaces, reminiscent of those worn by the late Princess Diana, reports the Mirror.
On Wednesday, TMZ revealed that Justin’s legal team had successfully negotiated with prosecutors to downgrade his charges to Driving While Ability Impaired, a less severe offence than drink driving. One source told the MailOnline: “Justin was out to dinner with friends and there were cop cars stationed outside the restaurant like there are most nights. They look for people who are leaving after midnight who might have been drinking. Justin left at 12:30am and was pulled over as soon as he left. Nobody was hurt and there was no drama at the scene.”
Defending the singer, another source told People on Thursday: “A family man, and this is his focus. He accepted a plea deal because he wants to move on. The court case has been a distraction. He doesn’t want his family to be affected by it.”
Following his arrest, the singer became the focus of internet jokes and mems when he complained to the arresting officer about the impact of the arrest on “the tour”. Unaware of the singer’s fame, the young officer innocently asked, “What tour? ” A disheartened Justin responded, “The world tour”.
Caught up in the early stages of his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which keeps him busy until June 2025, the star later confronted his misconduct with his fans during one of his performances.
He told his Chicago fans, amid challenging times following his arrest in June, “It’s been a tough week… This [tour] is just something that keeps watching over me, more so on this tour than any other. And that’s that mostly all of us here in this room tonight, in this arena tonight, have grown up together.”
“So many of you come up to me and say, ‘I grew up with you, man.’ I want each and every one of you to know I’ve grown up with you,” emphasizing, “You have been such a big and beautiful part of my life and sometimes I can’t find the words to show my gratitude that you guys just keep riding with me and riding with me.”
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