Justin Timberlake warns 'if you have one drink, don't drive' as he pleads guilty in New York to impaired driving

Singer Justin Timberlake arrives to appear in court in Sag Harbor, New York. (REUTERS)
Singer Justin Timberlake arrives to appear in court in Sag Harbor, New York. (REUTERS)

Justin Timberlake pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of impaired driving on Friday after his drink driving arrest in June.

The boy band singer-turned-solo star and actor appeared in Sag Harbor Village Court to enter a new plea to the lesser charge.

The driving while ability impaired, is a traffic violation violation that carries a $300 to $500 fine and a 90-day license suspension.

He has agreed to make a public safety announcement, pay a minimum fine and do 25 to 40 hours of community service.

“I try to hold myself to a very high standard, and this was not that," Timberlake told media and other onlookers gathered outside the courthouse after the hearing.

"Even if you've had one drink, don't get behind the wheel of a car," he said. "There's so many alternatives. Call a friend. Take an Uber. There's many travel apps. Still, take a taxi. 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."

Police officers escorted Timberlake as he left his lawyer's office and crossed a street to the courthouse as a crowd including journalists surrounded him.

Officers shouted "Back up. Back up" to clear a path to the courthouse's front entrance.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to the greater charge of driving while intoxicated, which can incur penalties including jail time and fines up to $2,000 (£1,520) for a first offence.

The Cry Me A River singer was arrested in the early hours of 18 June after police said he failed to stop at a stop sign and could not stay in his lane while driving in Long Island, New York state.

Justin Timberlake is seen in a booking photo on June 18 (Sag Harbor Police Department via)
Justin Timberlake is seen in a booking photo on June 18 (Sag Harbor Police Department via)

During the proceedings Timberlake remained standing throughout and gave a statement in which he expressed remorse for his actions. He said he grew up in a small town and appreciated the kind of strain his arrest has made on Sag Harbor. He said he has had a lot of time to reflect on his actions.

"I did not live up to the standards that I try to hold for myself," he said.

Timberlake said he is "grateful for the opportunity to move forward" and use his platform to hopefully help others make "better decisions."

"I should've had better judgment," he said to the judge. " I understand the seriousness of this."

Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York, a little after midnight on June 18 after police said he ran a stop sign in the village center, veered out of his lane and got out of his BMW smelling of alcohol.

Police in court filings also said the 43-year-old Tennessee native's eyes were "bloodshot and glassy" and that he had "slowed speech," was unsteady on his feet and performed poorly on all sobriety tests.

Timberlake told the officer he had had one martini and was following some friends home, police said.