DWI Case: Justin Timberlake claims innocence, but his license suspended
Justin Timberlake, the former 'NSync singer, pleaded not guilty to drunk-driving charges during a virtual court appearance on Friday. The 43-year-old artist was arrested on June 18 in Sag Harbor, Long Island, after allegedly running a stop sign and veering out of his lane. Police officers reported that Timberlake exited his BMW with a noticeable smell of alcohol.
Court suspends Timberlake's license, threatens gag order
Following Timberlake's plea, Sag Harbor village justice Carl Irace suspended the singer's Tennessee driver's license in New York state. Irace also warned of imposing a gag order on his attorney Edward Burke Jr due to what he considered inappropriate comments to the media. The next court date for Timberlake has been scheduled for August 9. Burke said on Friday, "Justin Timberlake was not intoxicated, and we're very confident that charge, that criminal charge, will be dismissed."
What does a gag order mean in legal terms?
According to Freedom Forum, "Formally known as a non-dissemination order, a gag order is a court-imposed restriction on what information during trial or preliminary proceedings can be released to the public and what those involved in the case can say about it." "Such orders often apply to everyone directly involved: lawyers, witnesses, defendants and plaintiffs."
What happened on June 18?
Police pulled over Timberlake after he left a Sag Harbor hotel around 12:30 am. The police report stated, "His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath...he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests." Legal records reveal that Timberlake refused to take breath tests three times while in custody. He reportedly later told officers he had consumed one martini and was following friends home.
