Justin Timberlake DWI Arrest: Bodycam Footage Reveals Sobriety Test Struggles
Newly released police body camera footage shows pop star Justin Timberlake struggling to perform field sobriety tests during a 2024 arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The video, approximately eight hours in length, was released Friday following a legal agreement between Sag Harbor officials and Timberlake’s attorneys, according to reports from Fox News and ABC7 Los Angeles.
The footage depicts Timberlake being pulled over in June 2024 after police reported he failed to stop at a stop sign, swerved out of his lane, and exhibited signs of intoxication upon exiting his BMW, Page Six reported. In the video, Timberlake is seen telling officers, “These are highly demanding tests.” He explained to the officers that he had consumed one martini and was following friends home.
When questioned about his presence in Sag Harbor, Timberlake responded, “I’m on a world tour.” When pressed for specifics, he stated, “It’s hard to explain…world tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.” The officer then asked for his driver’s license.
The bodycam footage shows officers requesting Timberlake to perform a heel-to-toe walk and a one-leg stand. Throughout the tests, Timberlake appeared unsteady and expressed nervousness, stating, “My heart is racing,” according to abcnews.com. He also asked officers to keep the light on in his jail cell.
Timberlake ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while ability impaired in September 2024. As part of a plea deal, he agreed to participate in a public service announcement regarding the dangers of drunk driving, reducing the initial misdemeanor charge to a traffic infraction. He was also fined $500, sentenced to 25 hours of community service, and had his driver’s license suspended for 90 days.
Prior to the video’s release, Timberlake’s lawyers had filed a lawsuit attempting to block its publication, arguing it would cause “grave and irreparable harm” to his reputation and invade his privacy by revealing “intimate, highly personal and sensitive” details. However, in a joint filing with the municipality on Friday, the lawyers conceded that the video did not constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy under state public information law and agreed to its release. Attorneys and representatives for Timberlake did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sag Harbor officials, in a statement provided by the municipality’s attorney Vincent Toomey, expressed satisfaction with the resolution and compliance with state public records law. The statement affirmed the municipality’s commitment to fulfilling Freedom of Information Law requests while also addressing public safety concerns, officer safety, and personal privacy considerations.