Justin Timberlake has filed a lawsuit to prevent the public release of police body-camera footage from his arrest for impaired driving in the Hamptons, New York, in 2024. According to Timberlake’s legal team, the video contains sensitive and personal details that could severely harm his privacy and reputation if made public.
During a court hearing in Riverhead, New York, on Monday, Judge Joseph Farneti asked both parties to explore a potential resolution and report back at a later date. Timberlake’s attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter.
In September 2024, the former NSYNC member pleaded guilty to impaired driving after being arrested for running a stop sign in Sag Harbor while allegedly intoxicated. As part of his plea deal, Timberlake agreed to participate in a public safety announcement against drunk driving and received penalties including a fine, community service, and a license suspension.
In response to notifications that the village of Sag Harbor planned to release edited versions of the footage to comply with public records requests, Timberlake’s legal team filed a lawsuit to block it. The footage in question reportedly spans about eight hours, documenting Timberlake’s initial stop, police interactions, field sobriety tests, and subsequent arrest.
While several media outlets, including The Associated Press, have requested the video’s release, Sag Harbor Mayor Thomas Gardella assured that careful consideration was given to avoid endangering the police or the public. He emphasized the village’s commitment to transparency, citing state laws that generally mandate the release of police body-camera recordings.
