Justin Timberlake Receives a Slap on the Wrist After Arrested for Driving While Intoxicated

After news broke on June 18, 2024, that singer and actor Justin Timberlake had been arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New York, questions arose about his career, reputation, and marriage. How would his wife, Jessica Biel, whom he has been married to since 2012, handle the situation? And what impact would it have on his career going forward?

While Jessica has publicly supported her husband, and Timberlake has continued performing despite his legal troubles, he received a significant win in September 2024. Here’s everything we know about Justin's DWI-related arrest and the light penalty he received after accepting a plea deal in September.

Justin was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York after allegedly driving while intoxicated. The singer reportedly ran a stop sign and failed to remain on the correct side of the road.

According to Sag Harbor police, Justin remained in police custody overnight after the incident, and appeared in court the following morning of June 18.

Justin was on The Forget Tomorrow World Tour at the time, and his concert dates were questioned following his arrest. However, the singer set his troubles aside and continued performing throughout the tour. Jessica even showed her support by sharing videos of herself jamming out while her hubby captivated the audience.

Obviously, Justin is still not in jail. According to People, he was released the morning after his arrest on his own recognizance. Fast forward a few months, and TMZ reports that a source familiar with the matter revealed Justin will receive a light punishment for his DWI arrest.

Justin will reportedly sign a plea deal on Sept. 13, 2024, allowing his DWI charge to be dropped in favor of a lesser charge of Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), which carries much lighter penalties. TMZ noted that Justin will face a fine between $300 and $500. Additionally, the singer will be subject to a license suspension in New York because he refused to submit to a breathalyzer test, which hardly seems like a issue for someone of his status.

Although he was for many years one of the most successful artists in pop music, in more recent years, Justin has faced backlash in part for the way he treated Britney Spears when the two were in a relationship. Although at the time many took Justin's side following their split, Britney's conservatorship and subsequent treatment have led many to believe that he behaved badly during their relationship.

Following the news of his arrest, many immediately took to the internet to poke fun at the singer. Some began to post famous videos of other drunk driving incidents and attributing them to Justin.

But Justin is far from the first celebrity to be arrested for driving while intoxicated, and many of those celebrities have been able to continue on in their professional lives without the scandal causing too many issues.