Justin Timberlake has filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the release of police body camera video related to his 2024 DWI arrest in the Hamptons.
According to reports, Timberlake’s legal team is asking a judge to review the footage and prevent the disclosure of any material not required under New York’s Freedom of Information Law. Multiple news organizations have already submitted public records requests for the video.
In court documents, Timberlake’s lawyers contend that the video contains “personally identifiable information and private details” unrelated to the law enforcement action. They argue that public exposure would cause “stigma, harassment, reputational injury and the permanent loss of privacy.”
Justice Joseph Farneti, acting Suffolk County Supreme Court judge, has not yet issued a ruling, and both sides are currently engaged in negotiations. Vincent Toomey, a lawyer representing the Village of Sag Harbor, stated that the police department intends to release portions of the video with some redactions to protect privacy and ongoing investigations.
Edward D. Burke Jr., one of Timberlake’s attorneys, has reviewed the footage and noted it captures details of the singer’s “life and emotional state” that are irrelevant to the arrest. Burke similarly pointed out that the video includes bystanders who have their own privacy rights.
TIMBERLAKE ACCEPTED A PLEA DEAL
Timberlake pleaded guilty in September 2024 to driving while impaired and accepted a plea deal that included 25 to 40 hours of community service and a fine. Timberlake stated, “This was a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping that whoever’s watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Justin Timberlake arrested?
Justin Timberlake was apprehended by police in the Hamptons at 12:37 a.m. ET on June 18, 2024.
What is Timberlake arguing in his lawsuit?
Timberlake’s lawyers argue that the release of the bodycam footage would violate his privacy by revealing “intimate, highly personal, and sensitive details.”
What has Timberlake already agreed to as part of the case?
Timberlake pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and agreed to 25 to 40 hours of community service and a fine.
As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached regarding the release of the bodycam footage, or if the case will proceed to a ruling by Justice Farneti.
