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Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in his drunk driving case on Friday and then went outside the courthouse and gave a public service announcement.
Timberlake, who was charged with driving while intoxicated on June 18th in the New York town of Sag Harbor, pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired.
He was ordered to pay a $500 fine and perform community service.
Justin Timberlake wasted no time in performing community service when he made the PSA on the perils of drunk driving at a podium filled with microphones conveniently placed outside the courthouse.
“Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car,” Timberlake warned the assembled media.
“There’s so many alternatives. Call a friend, take an Uber, there’s many travel apps. Still, take a taxi.
“This is a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping that whoever’s watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have.
“And like I said, even one drink. Don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”
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According to NPR…
Judge Carl Irace expressed disappointment with the proposed plea deal put forward by prosecutors. He questioned the appropriateness of the public announcement Timberlake intended to make shortly after the court proceedings. He was concerned it did not give proper time for him to reflect on his actions for that reason, he said he was adding on community service requirements to the sentence.
While inside the courtroom, Justin Timberlake reportedly told the judge, “I did not live up to the standards that I try to hold for myself.”
He added that he was “grateful for the opportunity to move forward” and help other people to make “better decisions” in the future.
“I should’ve had better judgment,” he said to the judge. “ I understand the seriousness of this.”
Prior to the hearing on Friday, Justin Timberlake claimed that he only had “one martini” prior to his being arrested with what police officers reported being “bloodshot and glassy” eyes and “slowed speech.”
The 43-year-old pop star already had his driver’s license suspended due to his refusal to take a breathalyzer test when he was pulled over by police.
Refusing a breathalyzer test automatically triggers a suspension of a driver’s license under New York state law. So he won’t be doing any kind of driving for some time. Not even sober.