Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired (DWAI), a reduced noncriminal traffic violation, in Sag Harbor, New York, on September 13, 2024. The plea resolved the case that began with his June arrest; he did not plead guilty to the original misdemeanor DWI charge. The reported sentence included a $500 fine, a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service, a public safety announcement and a 90-day New York license suspension.
What did Justin Timberlake plead guilty to?
Timberlake pleaded guilty to DWAI, or driving while ability impaired. Associated Press reporting described the reduced charge as a noncriminal traffic violation. It was not the misdemeanor DWI charge initially reported after his arrest in June 2024. The Associated Press reported the plea outcome, and CBS New York also reported the DWAI plea.
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How did the plea deal differ from the original charge?
The case began with Timberlake’s June 2024 arrest in Sag Harbor, Long Island. The initial charge was reported as misdemeanor DWI; the September plea was instead to the reduced DWAI traffic violation. That distinction matters: the guilty plea was to DWAI, not to the original DWI charge.
In its June 18, 2024 account, the Associated Press described allegations from police and court filings about the traffic stop and officers’ observations. Those were allegations associated with the arrest, not findings established by the later reduced-charge plea. The AP report on the arrest provides that account.
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What did the sentence require?
Reports on the September 13, 2024 hearing said the sentence included:
- A $500 fine and a $260 surcharge, as reported by CBS New York and the Associated Press.
- Twenty-five hours of community service.
- A public safety announcement.
- A 90-day suspension of his New York driving license, reported by the Associated Press.
The judge, Carl Irace, expressed disappointment with the proposed plea arrangement, and the court added the 25 hours of community service. The East Hampton Star and AP-republished KSL coverage reported the judge’s reaction and the added service. The East Hampton Star’s account of the hearing describes that development.
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What did Timberlake say after the hearing?
After the hearing, Timberlake acknowledged that his conduct fell short of his own expectations and urged people not to drive after drinking. WTHR reported that he said: “I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself, and this was not that.” He also warned: “Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car.” WTHR’s September 14, 2024 report carries his remarks.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to the arrest video?
In 2026, the Associated Press reported that video of Timberlake’s arrest was released after the dispute over its public release was resolved. That later records development followed the plea and is separate from what he admitted to in court. The AP report on the video’s release covers the development.
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