Justin Timberlake Addresses Media After Pleading Guilty In DWI Case: 'Not The Highest Standard'

After weeks of controversy over his ongoing drunk driving case, Justin Timberlake has finally broken his silence, having pleaded guilty in court on Friday. Outside the Sag Harbor courthouse, Justin addressed the media and explained that he tries to hold himself to a high standard, something that didn’t happen in the case. He even admitted to not having made a more responsible decision.

“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, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times. Reflecting on his action, Timberlake added, “I’d like to say to everyone listening, even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. There’s so many alternatives.”

Reiterating much of what he said in the court, the singer also thanked everyone involved throughout the process, concluding with, “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 going to do my part. I hope that everyone else does their part.”

Prior to his media address, Justin Timberlake appeared in court for his hearing after reaching a plea deal in the DWi case. Speaking to the judge, he spoke about trying to hold himself to the “highest standard possible,” and this recent incident gave him the time to “reflect,” finding himself in a position of disappointment. “I did not live up to the standard I hold myself to. I have been raised on certain values. I am aware of the large platform, something I spent my life making,” he added, as quoted by People.

Following his statement, Justice Carl Irace questioned the singer’s motive behind the incident, when he could have used a taxi or a rideshare app. To this, Timberlake explained that he should have taken a moment to make a better judgement.

Coming back to the case, Justin Timberlake’s plea deal was accepted in court, following which he has been sentenced to serve 25 hours of community service at a non-profit organisation, pay a fine of $500 along with a $260 surcharge and make a public announcement about the dangers of driving impaired.