Justin Timberlake accused of driving under the influence in the Hamptons

By M Muzamil Shami

Early Tuesday, pop sensation Justin Timberlake faced charges of driving while intoxicated in a Hamptons village in New York. Police reported that he allegedly ran a stop sign and drifted out of his lane in the upscale coastal summer destination

SAG HARBOR, N.Y. (AP) — Early Tuesday, pop sensation Justin Timberlake faced charges of drunken driving in a Hamptons village in New York. Allegedly, he disregarded a stop sign and swerved out of his lane in the luxurious coastal summer getaway.

The former boy band member turned solo artist and actor was behind the wheel of a 2025 BMW in Sag Harbor around 12:30 a.m. when he was pulled over by an officer. According to official records, the officer concluded Timberlake was under the influence due to various signs: bloodshot and glassy eyes, a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, impaired attention, slowed speech, unsteadiness on his feet, and poor performance on sobriety tests.

Timberlake, aged 43, informed the officer that he had consumed one martini and was trailing some acquaintances home, as per the records. Following his arrest and transportation to a police facility in the vicinity of East Hampton, he declined to undergo a breath test, as stated in the court documents. His occupation was listed as "professional," and he identified himself as "self-employed."

The ten-time Grammy recipient was freed without bond on Tuesday morning following his arraignment in Sag Harbor. He faced charges of driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and his upcoming court appearance was set for July 26, as confirmed by the Suffolk County district attorney's office.

Edward Burke Jr., a local attorney representing Timberlake, chose not to provide a statement on Tuesday, only confirming that the star is not required to appear in person for the upcoming court date. Despite multiple attempts, Timberlake’s representatives based in California did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

Following the arrest, there was a continuous flow of curious onlookers to the charming Main Street of the village, many of whom snapped photos in front of the brick municipal building throughout the day.

Even music icon Billy Joel, a homeowner in Sag Harbor, observed the commotion outside the American Hotel, a popular establishment adjacent to the courthouse where Timberlake had been seen prior to his arrest.

"The 'Piano Man' singer declined to comment on Timberlake or his arrest, quoting 'Judge not lest ye be judged.' Timberlake, who began his career as a Disney Mouseketeer alongside future girlfriend Britney Spears, rose to fame with the boy band NSYNC. Transitioning to a solo career in 2002, he became a prominent figure in pop music, with hits like 'Cry Me A River,' 'SexyBack,' 'What Goes Around...Comes Around,' and 'Can’t Stop The Feeling!' Known for his versatility in pop and R&B, he has also courted controversy, notably during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show incident involving Janet Jackson."

The incident resulted in Jackson being removed from the Grammy telecast the following week. She later explained in a 2022 documentary that it was an unintended mishap and emphasized her continued friendship with Timberlake.

Timberlake, meanwhile, ventured into acting, earning praise for roles in films like "The Social Network" and "Friends With Benefits," and securing four Primetime Emmy Awards.

Last year, Timberlake made waves as Spears unveiled her memoir, "The Woman in Me." It delved into their relationship with chapters dedicated to intimate details, including a pregnancy, abortion, and their tumultuous breakup. In March, he dropped his first album in six years, "Everything I Thought It Was," a nostalgic return to his signature future funk sound.

Timberlake is set to perform two shows in Chicago this weekend, followed by gigs at New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 25 and 26.

Sag Harbor, a former whaling village immortalized in Herman Melville’s "Moby-Dick," lies nestled amidst the Hamptons, roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City. The Hamptons have long been a magnet for the affluent and renowned, with various stars and other notable figures encountering legal entanglements there.

Nestled along a bay, Sag Harbor has long fostered a distinctively grounded reputation, diverging from the opulence of its oceanfront counterparts. Here, community spirit thrives not within exclusive country clubs, but amidst the convivial ambiance of locales like the Corner Bar. Retaining its charm, the town retains relics of bygone eras, such as the enduring presence of a five-and-dime store, while the beloved American Hotel, steeped in mid-19th-century allure, remains a cornerstone of its social fabric.

The village boasts a rich history of notable residents, including singer-songwriter Joel, former CNN host Don Lemon, Nobel Prize-winning novelist John Steinbeck, feminist writer Betty Friedan, and Pulitzer Prize winners Colson Whitehead and Lanford Wilson. Whitehead’s novel “Sag Harbor” vividly captures the essence of this community, especially its beachfront enclave cherished by generations of Black families during summers.

In recent years, Sag Harbor has emerged as a magnet for celebrities, aspirants, and even cruise ships. The landscape has transformed with upscale restaurants akin to Manhattan's finest and exclusive boutiques proliferating. Properties command prices in the seven or eight digits, prompting murmurs among longtime locals about increased traffic, crowds, and a shifting ambiance.