NEW YORK (AP) – Justin Timberlake has initiated legal action aiming to prevent the release of police body camera footage from his drunken driving arrest that occurred in June 2024 in Sag Harbor, New York. The lawsuit, filed on Monday against the Village of Sag Harbor and its police department, argues that publishing the video would significantly compromise Timberlake's privacy, exposing "intimate, highly personal, and sensitive details" regarding his condition during the arrest.
In their filings, Timberlake's legal team outlined the potential repercussions of releasing the footage, claiming it could lead to "severe and irreparable harm" to his reputation. They emphasized that the video captures Timberlake in a highly vulnerable state, showcasing his physical appearance, demeanor, speech, and conduct during the roadside sobriety tests, the arrest, and subsequent confinement. The lawsuit asserts that exposure to such footage would result in public ridicule and harassment.
During a state court hearing in Riverhead on Monday, Judge Joseph Farneti did not make an immediate ruling. Instead, he instructed both parties to discuss a possible resolution and report back later in the week, as conveyed by Vincent Toomey, a lawyer representing the Village of Sag Harbor.
The pop star and member of NSYNC pleaded guilty to impaired driving in September 2024. According to police reports, Timberlake ran a stop sign and exhibited erratic driving before being stopped while behind the wheel of his BMW, with a strong smell of alcohol detected as officers approached. Timberlake disclosed that he had consumed one martini and was following friends in Sag Harbor at the time of the incident.
As part of a plea agreement that reduced the original misdemeanor charge to a noncriminal traffic violation, Timberlake consented to participate in a public safety announcement highlighting the dangers of drunken driving. He was also sentenced to a $500 fine, 25 hours of community service, and had his driver's license suspended for 90 days.
Following his court appearance, Timberlake addressed the public, stating, "Even if you've had one drink, don't get behind the wheel of a car. This is a mistake that I made, but I'm hoping that whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have."
Timberlake's attorneys indicated that they received notification on Sunday regarding the village's intention to release segments of the body camera footage with certain redactions to meet public records requests. The total footage is reported to last approximately eight hours, encompassing Timberlake's initial stop, police questioning, the administration of field sobriety tests, as well as his arrest.
Several media outlets, including the Associated Press, submitted records requests for the release of the video footage. Sag Harbor Mayor Thomas Gardella highlighted that village officials had thoroughly reviewed the footage to ensure that nothing posed a risk to public safety or privacy. He reaffirmed the village's commitment to transparency, noting that state public records law typically mandates the release of police body camera footage.
