Body camera footage of Justin Timberlake’s 2024 arrest in Sag Harbor, Modern York, was released Friday following a settlement regarding the singer’s privacy lawsuit against the local police department.
Timberlake, 45, was initially charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, after being pulled over and subjected to field sobriety tests. He later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired, an infraction.
The footage was published online Friday by The Sag Harbor Express, which obtained it through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request filed by its parent company, The Express News Group.
In the video, Timberlake is seen speaking to an officer while already outside his BMW sport utility vehicle. He states, “Guys, I’m just following my friends back to my house. I’m not doing anything. I’m just following my friends back to my house,” his speech described as unhurried and seemingly slurred.
Officers instructed Timberlake to walk a straight line using nine heel-to-toe steps. He struggled with the test, stepping off the line and apologizing, stating, “Sorry, I’m a little nervous.” An officer is seen taking notes.
Timberlake also had difficulty with a test requiring him to lift one foot six inches off the ground and count aloud, saying, “Sorry, my heart is racing,” and, “These are like, really hard tests.” He was subsequently placed in handcuffs and arrested.
On March 2, Timberlake filed a petition to block the footage’s release, citing privacy concerns, and a judge initially granted a temporary restraining order.
According to a filing obtained by Rolling Stone, the footage depicted Timberlake “in an acutely vulnerable state” and its public dissemination would cause “severe and irreparable harm” to his personal and professional reputation.
The judge’s order blocking the release was lifted Friday after Timberlake and Sag Harbor officials reached an agreement on redactions. Timberlake’s lawyers stated the edited footage “does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”
The video aligns with initial reports from law enforcement, which stated Timberlake ran a stop sign at Madison Street and Jermain Avenue in Sag Harbor and failed to maintain the right lane for several blocks. The arrest occurred around 12:37 a.m. On June 18, 2024.
Prosecutors wrote in a court filing, based on statements from Sag Harbor Police Officer Michael D. Arkinson, that Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” he had an odor of alcohol on his breath, was unable to divide his attention, had slowed speech, was unsteady on his feet, and performed poorly on all field sobriety tests.
Vincent Toomey, an attorney for the Village of Sag Harbor, stated the Village has attempted to comply with Freedom of Information Law mandates and that footage is reviewed and redacted to address safety and privacy concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to Justin Timberlake’s arrest?
Timberlake was pulled over after officers observed him veering off the road and failing to stop at stop signs, ultimately leading to his arrest on June 18, 2024.
What charge did Timberlake ultimately plead guilty to?
Timberlake initially faced a charge of driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired, an infraction.
Why was the body camera footage initially withheld from the public?
Timberlake filed a petition seeking to block the release of the footage, citing privacy concerns, and a judge initially granted a temporary restraining order.
As this case concludes, what implications might this have for public figures facing similar legal challenges and the balance between transparency and privacy?
