Justin Timberlake has launched a legal effort to stop video of his drunk driving arrest from being released to the public.
In June 2024, the Mirrors singer was taken into custody in Sag Harbor, New York on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and was also issued two traffic citations.
Police records state that Timberlake told officers he had consumed just one martini at a hotel bar shortly before being stopped. He also declined to take a breathalyzer test.
On Monday, his attorneys Edward Burke Jr. and Michael J. Del Piano submitted a petition to the Suffolk County Supreme Court arguing that releasing police body camera footage from the arrest would violate their client’s privacy.
"Public dissemination of this footage would cause severe and irreparable harm to (Timberlake's) personal and professional reputation, subject (him) to public ridicule and harassment, and serve no legitimate public interest," the lawsuit reads, according to People.
The lawyers also argued that making the footage public could reveal Timberlake’s vehicle and display what they described as "highly personal details unrelated to public oversight of governmental operations".
The filing comes after the Sag Harbor Village Police Department received a request to release the body camera video under the Freedom of Information Law, commonly known as FOIL.
Timberlake, 45, has not yet issued a public response regarding the petition.
In September 2024, the pop star admitted guilt to the lesser charge of driving while impaired as part of a plea agreement. He was given 25 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $500 (£375) fine along with a $260 (£200) surcharge. His driver’s licence was also suspended for 90 days.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after the decision, Timberlake said, "Even if you've had one drink, don't get behind the wheel of a car. This is a mistake I have made, but I hope whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this. I know I certainly have."
