Pop star Justin Timberlake has been ordered to do community service and had his driver's license suspended for 90 days after pleading guilty to drunk driving.
Pop star Justin Timberlake changed his plea after being arrested for drunk driving and was sentenced to community service on Friday, US media reported.
On June 18, the 43-year-old entertainer was pulled over in Sag Harbor, a town about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City, after police observed his BMW running a stop sign and struggling to stay in its lanes.
According to NBC, Sag Harbor Village Justice Court Judge Carl Eileis sentenced Timberlake to community service and ordered him to make a public statement after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of drunk driving.
The charge is a traffic violation, punishable by a fine of $300 to $500 and a 90-day license suspension.
According to NBC, Timberlake told Aylais he was willing to do 25 to 40 hours of community service to help resolve the case.
See also: Justin Timberlake arrested for DUI – Report
Star of “Selfish”
“I try to hold myself to very high standards. That was not the case this time. I realized I was in a position where I could have made a different decision,” Timberlake said outside court.
“Even if you've had one drink, don't drive. There are so many other options,” added Timberlake, wearing a dark cardigan and pearl necklace.
“I grew up in a small town so I really understand how difficult or unique this must have been for the people of Sag Harbor. I'm very grateful and thankful for them.”
Sag Harbor is an upscale neighborhood in the upscale Hamptons known for its lavish parties and is a favorite destination for the rich and famous who have summer homes on Long Island.
The officer who pulled over the “Selfish” singer said Timberlake was not fit to drive, but Timberlake has always maintained he had just had one martini during a night out with friends at the American Hotel.
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“His eyes were bloodshot and hollow, he had a strong odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath, had difficulty distributing his attention, spoke slowly, was unsteady on his gait and performed poorly on standard field sobriety tests,” the police report states.
Timberlake's attorney, Edward Burke Jr., said Timberlake had been civil in his interactions with police.
“Contrary to what has been reported, (Timberlake) was not drinking someone else's drink, he was not warned in advance not to drive, he was not rude, unpleasant or combative. In fact, he was polite and cooperative,” he said outside court.
“His plea today to the reduced and amended non-criminal charges of traffic infractions is consistent with these facts.”
– Creator: © Agence France-Presse
