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Justin Timberlake’s rare police body cam footage finally went public late Friday night, revealing the pop star visibly struggling through field sobriety tests during his June 2024 arrest in New York’s Hamptons. The 18-minute video shows moments the singer hoped would stay hidden.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Date: Police body cam footage made public on March 20, 2026, after months of legal battle by Timberlake’s attorneys
- Original Arrest: June 18, 2024, in Sag Harbor, NY for weaving lanes and failing to obey a stop sign
- Sobriety Tests: Video shows him struggling through walk-and-turn, eye movement, and balance tests with visible difficulty
- Legal Outcome: Pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired (traffic violation, not criminal) with $500 fine and 25 hours community service
The Moment Police Pulled Him Over
On the night of June 18, 2024, Officer Michael Arkinson pulled over Timberlake’s vehicle in Sag Harbor after the singer failed to obey a stop sign and was weaving between lanes. The newly released bodycam footage captures the initial traffic stop interaction with unusual politeness and cooperation from the 45-year-old entertainer.
The singer was extremely courteous throughout the encounter, though his physical state told a different story. Officers observed signs that would typically indicate impairment, including glassy eyes and slowed speech patterns.
Justin Timberlake’s rare police body cam footage finally released, shows him struggling in sobriety tests
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Struggling Through Difficult Tests
The bodycam video shows Timberlake being administered a series of standardized field sobriety tests. Most notably, during the walk-and-turn test, the musician stumbled multiple times while attempting to walk a straight line heel-to-toe. At one critical moment, he paused and said, “These are like hard tests,” acknowledging the physical challenge.
When asked to perform a single-leg balance test, he again showed visible difficulty maintaining stability. Despite his struggles, Timberlake never became combative or uncooperative with officers, remaining calm throughout the ordeal.
What the Arrest Report Revealed
| Detail | Information |
| Arrest Location | Sag Harbor, New York, Hamptons |
| Date of Arrest | June 18, 2024 |
| Arresting Officer | Officer Michael Arkinson (3 months on force) |
| Field Sobriety Tests | Walked straight line, eye tracking, balance |
| Breathalyzer Result | Requested 3 times within 40 minutes, refused all |
According to officer reports documented in the video, Timberlake had bloodshot and glassy eyes and appeared unsteady on his feet. The formal police report stated he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests. Most notably, he refused the breathalyzer test on three separate occasions during a 40-minute period.
“These are, like, hard tests.”
— Justin Timberlake, during field sobriety tests, captured on body cam
The Friend’s *NSYNC Card Moment
One of the most surprising moments from the 18-minute bodycam footage shows Timberlake’s female friend attempting to negotiate with officers when they placed the singer in handcuffs. As she realized what was happening, she became visibly upset and began pleading with the officers.
The friend then made a calculated move, invoking the artist’s massive *NSYNC legacy. She said to the officers, “Can you guys please just do me a favor because you loved ‘Bye Bye Bye’ or ‘Sexyback’? Do me one favor!” Remarkably, the officers relented slightly and allowed her to speak briefly with Timberlake as he sat in the police car before transport to the station.
From Arrest to Resolution, What Changed?
In September 2024, Timberlake reached a plea agreement that substantially reduced the charge against him. He pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired, a traffic violation rather than a criminal offense like the original DWI charge. The settlement involved a $500 fine plus a $260 surcharge and 25 hours of community service.
Initially in March 2026, Timberlake sued to block the body camera video’s release, claiming it represented an invasion of personal privacy. However, he later changed course and agreed to a settlement allowing partial release of the redacted video, which finally became public on March 20, 2026. What made him agree to the footage’s release after fighting so hard to keep it sealed?
Sources
- TMZ: First reported on the release of Justin Timberlake’s police body cam footage on March 20, 2026
- Variety: Provided detailed coverage of the DWI arrest footage and settlement details from March 2026
- CBS News New York: Documented the September 2024 plea deal and charges reduction
