Justin Timberlake’s Attorneys Temporary Block Release of Drunk Driving Arrest Footage

Justin Timberlake’s legal team bought some time in his suit against Sag Harbor Village Police Department to block the release of body camera footage from his 2024 DWI arrest.

Suffolk County Judge Joseph Farneti approved a temporary restraining order on Thursday to prevent the release of the footage, according to court records reviewed by Variety and first reported by Newsday. Long Island’s Sag Harbor will have until April 9 to submit documentation to show cause for its efforts.

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On Monday, Timberlake filed suit against Sag Harbor Village Police Department, along with Chief of Police Robert Drake and the Village of Sag Harbor. His attorneys argued that the release of the footage would cause “severe and irreparable harm” to his reputation, as well as “subject [him] to public ridicule and harassment” and “serve no legitimate public interest in understanding the operations of government.” They also claimed that it would “constitute an unwarranted invasion” of his personal privacy.

Timberlake’s attorney and Sag Harbor’s Chief of Police did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.

The pop star was arrested in June 2024 after police stopped him for weaving out of his lane and failing to obey a stop sign. The arresting officer reported that his eyes were “bloodshot” and “glassy,” and that he performed poorly on a field sobriety test. Timberlake claimed that he had one martini and refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

Three months later, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and perform 25 to 40 hours of community service. He was initially charged with a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated, and pleaded guilty to “driving while ability impaired.”

“I did not live up to the standards that I try to hold for myself,” he told the judge. “I should’ve had better judgment… I understand the seriousness of this.”

After the hearing, Timberlake told reporters outside the courthouse, “Even if you had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. There’s so many alternatives. Call a friend, take an Uber. There’s many travel apps. Take a taxi. This is a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping that whoever’s watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have.”