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Justin Timberlake’s cushy community service role after drink-drive guilty plea

Music star Justin Timberlake will avoid getting his hands dirty when he performs his community service after his drink-driving guilty plea.

Justin Timberlake 'isn't getting special treatment' in DWI case, says prosecutor

Music star Justin Timberlake will perform his community service by working in a cushy office job instead of picking up rubbish, mopping floors or cleaning toilets.

The singer has been ordered to perform 25 hours of court-ordered community service after taking a plea deal in his drink-driving arrest.

A source told the New York Post that Timberlake would even get a final say over where he carried out his hours and would likely do his service in either New York, California or his home state of Tennessee.

“He would be doing stuff like sorting documents (for the court clerk), organising files,” said the source.

Justin Timberlake leaves court in Sag Harbor, New York.
Justin Timberlake leaves court in Sag Harbor, New York.

The 43-year-old was eager to strike a deal ahead of his upcoming Canadian tour dates next month.

“With a felony conviction on his record, Canada wouldn’t have let him in,” the source told the New York Post.

“He wouldn’t be allowed into a lot of other countries, too, but he makes big money in Canada.”

It came after Timberlake delivered a public service announcement to “take an Uber” after pleading guilty to a lesser charge after his arrest for drunk driving.

Justin Timberlake issues public plea after DUI

Timberlake’s BMW was pulled over in the early hours of June 18 after Sag Harbor police alleged he blew a stop sign and was swerving out of his lane. He then refused three times to take a breathaliser test, police allege.

The small town of Sag Harbor on Long Island, New York, bustled with excitement as crowds flocked to the courthouse for a glimpse of the former N’SYNC star.

The star will tour Canada next month. Picture: Getty Images
The star will tour Canada next month. Picture: Getty Images

Timberlake dressed down in slacks and a cardigan as he appeared at Sag Harbor Village Justice Court to enter his plea and admit to his “mistake”.

“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. I found myself in a position where I could have made a different decision. And I’ve had some time to reflect on that,” Timberlake said outside the court.

“And so 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,” Timberlake added.

“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’ve made, but I’m hoping whoever’s watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have. And like I said, even one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”

The plea deal included a $A745 fine with a $A390 surcharge and 25 hours of community service, which he has a year to complete.

Justin Timberlake leaves court in Sag Harbor, New York. Picture: Supplied
Justin Timberlake leaves court in Sag Harbor, New York. Picture: Supplied
Justin Timberlake’s booking photo. Picture: Getty Images
Justin Timberlake’s booking photo. Picture: Getty Images

Timberlake also thanked the people of Sag Harbor for putting up with all of the attention that has been brought to the town.

“We can all be more safe out there, and I’m going to do my part. I hope that everyone else does their part,” Timberlake said.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has insisted the Bye, Bye, Bye singer was not receiving special treatment, adding that Timberlake’s plea has been offered in similar cases.

Justice Carl Irace handed Timberlake a community service sentence and ordered the star to make a public statement, The New York Post reported.

Timberlake pleaded guilty to “Driving While Ability Impaired”, which was downgraded from the original charge of “Driving While Intoxicated”.

While it means Timberlake will not have a criminal record, he will still have his drivers’ license suspended for six months for refusing to take a breath test.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Justin Timberlake secures plea deal after DWI arrest

The 43-year-old entertainer was pulled over in the town of Sag Harbor, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) east of New York City, on June 18 after police observed his BMW go through a stop sign and struggle to stay within road lanes.

The officer who pulled over the “Cry Me a River” singer said he was in no fit state to drive.

“His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odour of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardised field sobriety tests,” the police report said.

The officer wrote that Timberlake “performed poorly on all standardised field sobriety tests”.

The police paperwork revealed Timberlake verbally refused a test three times.

He also refused to initial the document confirming that decision.

The star was in possession of a pricey Rolex watch, a gold ring, a vape pen, and more than $450 in cash on him when he was arrested.

Not, Happy, Justin: Jessica Biel ‘encouraged’ Justin Timberlake to accept a plea deal. Picture: Getty Images
Not, Happy, Justin: Jessica Biel ‘encouraged’ Justin Timberlake to accept a plea deal. Picture: Getty Images

Sources close to the star reveal Timberlake’s wife, Jessica Biel - with whom he has two sons, Silas, 9, and Phineas, 4 - encouraged him to accept the plea deal.

“He’s a family man, and this is his focus. He accepted a plea deal because he wants to move on,” according to an insider with knowledge of the plea quoted by People. “The court case has been a distraction. He doesn’t want his family to be affected by it.”

Originally published as Justin Timberlake’s cushy community service role after drink-drive guilty plea

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/world/justin-timberlake-learns-fate-in-drink-driving-twist/news-story/3065a80288e8faff6c4af1999f6cc144