The Sag Harbor Police Department officially released the long-fought body camera footage of Justin Timberlake’s June 2024 DWI arrest late Friday. The 21-minute redacted video shows the visibly stressed pop star struggling to complete standard field sobriety tests.
Timberlake’s legal team initially sued to block the release of the roughly eight hours of total footage. They argued public distribution would devastate his privacy and invite public ridicule. Acting Supreme Court Justice Joseph Farneti and both legal parties reached a settlement to release a cut version. They agreed the redacted video did not constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy under New York’s Freedom of Information Law.
The released tape captures Timberlake failing to walk a straight line heel-to-toe and balance on one leg. He repeatedly voices his anxiety to the arresting officers. “These are like really hard tests,” he says in the video. “I’m a little nervous. My heart’s racing.”
An officer asks Timberlake what brings him to the Hamptons village. The singer stammers before offering his current itinerary. “A world tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.” As officers place him in handcuffs, a female friend identifying herself as Estee intervenes. She pleads with the police, “You’re arresting Justin Timberlake? Stop it.”
The traffic stop occurred shortly after midnight on June 18, 2024. Police pulled over Timberlake’s rented BMW after observing him run a stop sign and veer out of his lane. The singer maintained he consumed only one martini and was following friends home.
Timberlake accepted a plea deal in September 2024. He pleaded guilty to a reduced, noncriminal traffic violation of driving while ability impaired. The court sentenced him to a $500 fine, a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service, and a 90-day license suspension. He was also required to record a public safety announcement warning against drinking and driving.