Justin Timberlake Pleads Guilty to Impaired Driving, Required to Make Public Safety Announcement
Click to viewMinutes after reaching a plea deal in his own DWI case, Justin Timberlake, 43, spoke outside the courthouse in Sag Harbor, N.Y. on Friday, Sept. 13, because he was required to.
“Many of you have probably been covering me for a lot of my life, and as you may know, I try to hold myself to a very high standard for myself. And this was not that. This was not that,” he said. “I found myself in a position where I could’ve made a different decision, but I’ve had some time to reflect on that and I also understand… that I have a platform, you have a platform, we share that platform.”
“What I’d like to say to everyone watching and listening, even if you’ve 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,” he said. “Take a taxi. This is a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping that whoever’s listening and watching right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have… Even one drink. Don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”
“I just want to say to everyone who’s been involved, from everyone in the courtroom to everyone outside, including the police department, that I’m very grateful and I thank them and I guess in closing, I’d like to say we can all be more safe out there. And I’m gonna do my part,” he concluded. “I hope that everyone else does their part. And thank you very much.”
Mayo - who was charged with driving while intoxicated following his arrest in June - pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired as part of his plea deal. The agreement means the has-been must pay a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge, complete 25 hours of community service at the nonprofit of his choice and have his license suspended for 90 days. He must also make a public service announcement about the dangers of driving impaired.
After his forced public statement, Mayo walked away from reporters and their questions.
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