New Blow for Justin Timberlake Amid DUI Scandal — All the Details

Justin Timberlake has had his driving license suspended in the state of New York, as he pleaded not guilty to the revised misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.

The singer appeared in court virtually from Antwerp, Belgium on August 2, where he stated his plea. Wearing a black collared shirt, Timberlake listened to Justice Carl Irace, replying “yes” to questions.

Justice Irace suspended Timberlake’s driving privileges in New York, though the duration of the suspension remains unclear. Justin’s lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., stated that this suspension was “standard with every DUI,” so they were unsurprised by the decision.

Timberlake missed his first court hearing last week because of his world tour. The court had to hold another hearing to formally charge him due to a paperwork issue.

During the proceedings, Burke withdrew a motion to dismiss the case, following a statement on July 26 that had led to a clash with the judge. Justice Irace urged Burke to “be more mindful when giving comments,” warning that his words “come off as an attempt to poison the case before it even begins.”

The judge threatened to implement a gag order or request Timberlake to appear in person, which would force him to return from the European leg of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, if the comments continued.

This comes after Burke told reporters last week that the police had made “a number of very significant errors,” adding, “The most important fact to know about this case is that Justin was not intoxicated and should not have been arrested for DWI.”

The popstar is on trial after he was pulled over after midnight in Sag Harbor in the Hamptons. Officers noted that Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” and he smelled strongly of “an alcoholic beverage” which “was emanating from his breath,” according to the filings.

Police stated that he refused a breathalyser test and performed poorly on sobriety tests, as he told officers, “I had one martini and I followed my friends home.”

News of Timberlake’s arrest sparked interest as a source for Page Six claimed that the singer mumbled the arrest was going to “ruin the tour,” and when the officer asked what tour he was referring to, Timberlake replied, “The world tour.”

In New York, those found guilty of driving while intoxicated can be penalized with up to a year in jail, or a $1,000 fine and a suspended driver’s license for a minimum of six months.