NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Timberlake had difficulty completing field sobriety tests, which required him to walk in a straight line and balance on one leg, after being stopped by police in New York’s Hamptons in 2024. Officers suspected he was driving under the influence, as shown in video footage released Friday.
At one point, the pop star remarked to the officers, “these are like really hard tests.”
The footage, spanning roughly eight hours, captures Timberlake’s initial stop. Sag Harbor police noted he ran a stop sign in the village center, drifted out of his lane, and exited his BMW with an odor of alcohol in June.
The NSYNC singer-turned-actor informed officers he had one martini and was following friends home in the former whaling village, known as one of the affluent beach towns in the Hamptons, approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City.
When an officer inquired about his presence in town, Timberlake replied, “I’m on a world tour.”
The officer further asked, “Doing what?”
Timberlake responded, “Hard to explain.”
After a brief hesitation, he added, “World tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.”
The officer eventually said, “You are Justin Timberlake? Do you have a license with you?”
Timberlake, who later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, was instructed to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line and lift one leg. He appeared flustered at times, listening to the instructions, and apologized to officers, mentioning that his heart was racing.
At one point, Timberlake expressed, “I’m a little nervous.”
While seated in the back of the police car, he questioned, “Why are you arresting me?”
Once at the police station, Timberlake was informed he would be held overnight, to which he responded, “I’m going to be here all night? You guys are wild, man.”
He requested that the officer keep the light on in the cell as they locked the door.
The Sag Harbor Police released the footage after reaching an agreement with Timberlake’s lawyers to disclose a redacted version. The Associated Press was among several media outlets that requested the video release.
Timberlake’s legal team had attempted to prevent the video’s release, arguing it would severely impact Timberlake’s privacy by exposing “intimate, highly personal, and sensitive details.” They also claimed it could cause “severe and irreparable harm” to his reputation by leading to “public ridicule and harassment.”
However, in a joint filing with the village on Friday, Timberlake’s lawyers acknowledged the video “does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under” the state’s public information law and agreed to its release.
Timberlake’s lawyers and representatives did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment on Friday.
Sag Harbor officials, through a statement from the village’s lawyer, Vincent Toomey, expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the matter, noting compliance with state public records law.
“From the beginning of this matter, after Mr. Timberlake’s arrest, the Village has attempted to comply with the mandates of the Freedom of Information Law,” the statement reads. “As would be true in any case involving records or video footage from our Police Department, such material is reviewed and redacted to address public and officer safety concerns as well as personal privacy considerations.”
In September 2024, Timberlake pleaded guilty to impaired driving.
The Tennessee native agreed to deliver a public safety message about the dangers of drunk driving as part of the plea agreement, which reduced his initial misdemeanor charge to a noncriminal traffic violation.
He was also fined $500, ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, and had his license suspended for 90 days.
Hill reported from Albany.
Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo.
