Listen to this article
Average 4 minutes
The audio version of this article was created by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations may occur. We are working with our partners to continuously review and improve the results.
Justin Timberlake struggled to pass field sobriety tests, which require him to walk in a straight line and stand on one leg after he was pulled over in New York’s Hamptons in 2024 by police who suspected him of impaired driving, according to a video released Friday.
The pop star sometimes tells officials, “These are like really tough tests.”
The video, which is nearly eight hours long, includes Timberlake’s first stop after Sag Harbor police say he ran downtown, pulled out of his lane and got out of his BMW smelling of alcohol in June of that year.
The singer and actor told officials he had one martini and was following his friends to a former fishing village in the affluent suburbs of the Hamptons, about 100 miles east of New York City.
When a police officer asks why he’s at home, Timberlake says, “I’m on a world tour.”
Video of pop star Justin Timberlake’s drunken arrest in 2024 has been released by Sag Harbor police after the city of New York and Timberlake’s lawyers agreed to release a redacted version of the footage. This episode shows the singer undergoing a roadworthiness test and talking to the police while being detained at the police station. (Video credit: The Associated Press)
“What are you doing?” The policeman asked.
“It’s hard to explain,” Timberlake said.
After stuttering a bit, he says: “World tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.”
Finally the policeman answers: “Are you Justin Timberlake? Do you have a license on you?”
Timberlake, who eventually pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, is asked by police to walk heel to toe in a straight line on the road and lift one leg. Sometimes he seems anxious to listen to the instructions. He apologized to the police and told himself that his heart was beating fast.
“I’m a little nervous,” Timberlake said at one point.
In the back seat of the police car, he asks: “Why are you arresting me?”
Back at the police station, Timberlake is informed that he will be kept overnight, and he says, “I’m going to be here all night? You guys are crazy.”
He asked the policeman to keep the light on in the cell as they locked the door.
‘Deep, personal and sensitive information’
The release by Sag Harbor police comes after the town and Timberlake’s attorneys agreed to release a sketchy version of the photo. The Associated Press was among several media outlets that filed a records request seeking the release of the video.
Timberlake’s lawyers had sued to block the release of the video, saying it would “destroy” Timberlake’s privacy by revealing “deep, personal and sensitive information.” They also said it would cause “grave and irreparable damage” to his reputation by subjecting him to “public ridicule and abuse.”
But in a joint filing with the city on Friday, Timberlake’s lawyers acknowledged that the video “does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under” the public information law and agreed to the release.
Lawyers and representatives for Timberlake did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment Friday.
Sag Harbor officials, in a statement issued by the local attorney, Vincent Toomey, said they are happy that the matter has been resolved and that they were able to comply with the public records law.
“Since the beginning of this matter, after the arrest of Mr. Timberlake, the village has attempted to comply with the instructions of the freedom of information law,” the statement read. “As would be true of anything involving records or videos from our police department, such material is reviewed and redacted to address public and officer safety and personal privacy considerations.”
Timberlake pleaded guilty to impaired driving in September 2024.
The Tennessee native agreed to serve a public safety declaration against the dangers of impaired driving as part of a plea deal that reduced his first misdemeanor charge to a non-felony traffic violation.
He was also sentenced to a $500 US fine, 25 hours of community service and a 90 day license suspension.
