Agencies;- The singer Justin Timberlake He was sentenced to community service for having drunk driving in June, a New York state court judge ordered Friday after the star pleaded guilty.
Timberlake was arrested on June 18 in the town of Sag Harbor, about 100 miles east of New York City, for drunk driving after running a stop sign and veering out of the lane he was traveling in while returning from dinner with friends.
Sag Harbor Village Justice Court Judge Carl Irace sentenced Timberlake to community service and ordered him to make a public statement after the 43-year-old entertainer pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor charge, NBC reported.
The charge is a traffic violation that carries a fine of between $300 and $500 and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
The “Cry Me a River” singer told the judge he was willing to perform between 25 and 40 hours of community service, NBC reported.
“Different decision”
“I try to conduct myself according to very high standards. This was not the case. I found myself in a situation where I could have made a different decision,” he told reporters outside court.
“Even if you’ve only had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car, there are plenty of alternatives,” advised the singer, dressed in a dark jacket and a pearl necklace.
“I grew up in a small town so I can understand and empathize with the tension or the unique nature of what this must have been like for the people of Sag Harbor (…) I am very grateful, I thank them,” he said.
Sag Harbor is a secluded town in the Hamptons, a favorite destination of the rich and famous, located on the Long Island peninsula, known for its exclusive parties and sumptuous mansions.
The arresting officer said the “Selfish” singer was not in a fit state to drive, despite having always maintained that he had only had a martini at the American Hotel during an evening spent with friends.
“His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, his breath smelled strongly of alcohol, he spoke slowly, he was staggering, and he failed all standardized sobriety tests” administered, the police report said.
Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke Jr, said the star was respectful during his encounter with police.
“Contrary to what was reported, (Timberlake) was not taking other people’s drinks, nor was he warned beforehand not to drive, he was not rude, he was not obnoxious, he was not belligerent. In fact, he was polite and cooperative,” she said outside court.
“Your plea today to a reduced and amended non-criminal offense, which is a traffic violation, is consistent with these facts,” he said.
