Justin Timberlake Judge Admonishes Prosecution for Coming to Court Unprepared During DWI Hearing

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Timberlake performs in Vancouver in April 2024.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

A judge inJustin Timberlake’s DWI case stemming from hisJune arrestadmonished the prosecution during a tense court hearing on Friday, Aug. 9.

The “Selfish” singer’s legal team, which includes attorney Edward Burke Jr., attended the hearing in the Hamptons, where Sag Harbor Village Justice Carl Irace scolded prosecutors in court for being “unprepared,” PEOPLE confirms.

The hearing revealed that there is a subpoena out to the American Hotel — where Timberlake was hanging out before his June arrest — and it is “complying” with the case; however, Irace expected the prosecution to be further along in the discovery process.

Timberlake, 43, did not appear in court, as he is currently overseas for his Forget Tomorrow World Tour. The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13, though Timberlake will not be required to appear in person.

“The District Attorney’s Office is at a loss as for the reasons behind the demeanor of the Court at today’s conference," a representative for the District Attorney’s office said in a statement to PEOPLE.

The representative noted that the judge previously raised an issue of a “potential conflict involving defense counsel’s representation” but the DA’s office “has not identified such a conflict.”

“We are confined to making such motions only where the facts warrant,” they added. “If the Court feels that such a motion is required, the court is able to order a formal inquiry as to the issue.”

During an Aug. 2 hearing, the “Cry Me a River” singer appeared in court virtually from Antwerp, Belgium, to plead not guilty to a revised misdemeanor charge of driving drunk, PEOPLE confirmed at the time.

During the hearing, Timberlake listened attentively to Irace, replying “yes” twice to questions asked of him. The judge suspended the pop star’s driving privileges in the state of New York, though it’s unclear for how long.

Timberlake’s lawyer Burke subsequently told reporters the suspension is “standard with every DUI.”

Included in Timberlake’s one-count DWI charge was a citation for running a stop sign and a citation for failing to keep in lane. Burke maintained thatthe singer was “not intoxicated” when he was arrestedin Sag Harbor, N.Y., on June 18 during the 10-time Grammy winner’s court hearing on June 26.

PerWABC, he said: “I’ll say it again. Justin Timberlake was not intoxicated. And we are very confident that charge — that criminal charge — will be dismissed.”

In a statement to PEOPLE following the July 26 appearance, Burke said, “The most important fact to know about this case is that Justin was not intoxicated and should not have been arrested for DWI.” He added that “the police made a number of very significant errors in this case,” and during the hearing, a “district attorney [tried] to fix one of those errors.”

At the time, Burke stressed how Timberlake “respects law enforcement and the very important job that they do.”

“He cooperated with the police officers at all times and treated them with the respect they deserve,” he said. “He also respects the entire judicial process, including the District Attorney and Judge who were in court today. But the fact remains, he was not intoxicated, and they made an error in arresting him for it. We are confident that this charge will be dismissed.”

Justin Timberlake.Andrew H Walker/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Andrew H Walker/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

“Upon investigation it was determined that Mr. Timberlake was operating his vehicle in an intoxicated condition,” a press release from the police department said at the time. “Mr. Timberlake was placed under arrest, processed, and held overnight for morning arraignment. Mr. Timberlake was arraigned at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court on June 18, 2024, at 9:30 AM where he was released on his own recognizance.”

Timberlake washeld overnightand arraigned at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court then released that morning.

source: people.com