SAG HARBOR, N.Y. (AP) — Early Tuesday, pop star Justin Timberlake was charged with drunk driving in the Hamptons, New York. Police said he ran a stop sign and swerved out of his lane in the upscale summer area.
Justin Timberlake Arrested
Justin Timberlake, the singer and actor, was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Sag Harbor around 12:30 a.m. He was driving a 2025 BMW when a police officer stopped him and found he was drunk, according to court documents.
“His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his breath smelled strongly of alcohol, he couldn’t focus, his speech was slow, he was unsteady on his feet, and he did poorly on sobriety tests,” said the court papers.
Timberlake, 43, told the officer he had one martini and was following friends home. After his arrest, he was taken to a police station in East Hampton, where he refused a breath test. The court documents listed his occupation as “professional” and said he’s “self-employed.”
The 10-time Grammy winner was released without bond Tuesday morning after a court hearing in Sag Harbor. He was charged with a misdemeanor for driving while intoxicated, and his next court date is July 26, according to the Suffolk County district attorney’s office.
Timberlake’s lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., confirmed the star doesn’t need to appear in person for his next court date. Timberlake’s representatives in California didn’t respond to requests for comment.
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The arrest drew curiosity seekers to Sag Harbor’s Main Street, with many taking photos in front of the municipal building.
Even music legend Billy Joel, who owns a home in Sag Harbor, was seen outside the American Hotel, a popular spot next to the courthouse where Timberlake had been spotted before his arrest. Joel declined to comment on Timberlake, saying, “Judge not lest ye be judged.”
Timberlake started his career as a Disney Mouseketeer, with castmates including Britney Spears, his former girlfriend (he’s now married to actress Jessica Biel). He became famous in the boy band NSYNC, then launched a solo career in 2002. Famous for songs like “Cry Me A River,” “SexyBack,” and “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” he’s also performed at multiple Super Bowl halftime shows, including the infamous 2004 “wardrobe malfunction” with Janet Jackson.
Timberlake has also acted in movies like “The Social Network” and “Friends With Benefits” and won four Primetime Emmy Awards.
Last year, Timberlake made headlines when Spears released her memoir, “The Woman in Me,” detailing their relationship. In March, he released his first new album in six years called “Everything I Thought It Was.”
Timberlake has upcoming shows in Chicago and at New York’s Madison Square Garden later this month.
Sag Harbor, a former whaling village mentioned in “Moby-Dick,” is part of the Hamptons, about 100 miles east of New York City. The Hamptons are a hot spot for the rich and famous, and many stars have had legal troubles there.
Sag Harbor has a more down-to-earth reputation compared to its oceanfront neighbors. It still has a five-and-dime store and the cozy American Hotel. Prominent residents have included Billy Joel, Don Lemon, John Steinbeck, Betty Friedan, Colson Whitehead, and Lanford Wilson. Whitehead’s novel “Sag Harbor” takes place there.
In recent years, Sag Harbor has attracted more celebrities and high-end businesses, leading to complaints from longtime residents about traffic and a changing character.
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