Justin Timberlake has narrowly avoided drink-driving charges after accepting a plea deal out of court.
The SexyBack singer, 43, has been embroiled in the huge scandal after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. Justin had been arrested in the Sag Harbour area of New York City back in June.
As well as the DUI, Justin was also arrested for a number of other road traffic offences, including running a red light and failing to stay within the correct lane. He was due to be charged and appear in court on the matter, but now his lawyers have confirmed a plea deal has been accepted.
READ MORE: Justin Timberlake charged with ‘driving while intoxicated’ as court date set
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In the deal, which was agreed between the singer’s legal team and prosecutors, Justin’s initial charge will be dropped. Instead, he will now be charged with the offence of driving while ability was impaired.
(Image: Sag Harbor Police Department via Getty Images)
Speaking to American site TMZ, insiders close to the Trolls star said that he will be required to pay a fine of anywhere between $300 and $500 after being charged. The official number that he will have to pay will be worked out by a judge presiding over the plea hearing on Friday (September 13).
Despite this, however, the movie star has also been hit with other preconditions to his lower charge. For the next year, Justin will have his driver’s license suspended in the state of New York – a punishment for refusing to do a breathalyser test when he was stopped by police at the time.
In a previous hearing, the Suit and Tie singer’s lawyer Edward Burke Jr, outright denied the allegations made against Justin, appealing to the judge to dismiss the case. In his defence, Burke said that errors in the way Justin had been arrested by officers as he made his way home from a meal with friends in the luxurious Hamptons area.
(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to MailOnline about the incident, an insider at the time said: “Justin was out to dinner with friends and there were cop cars stationed outside the restaurant like there are most nights. They look for people who are leaving after midnight who might have been drinking.
“Justin left at 12:30am and was pulled over as soon as he left,” the source went on to say. “Nobody was hurt and there was no drama at the scene.”
(Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Liv)
According to police documents that were seen by People magazine, Justin alleged that he drank “one martini” before being pulled over and arrested by authorities. In the police report, however, it was said that the singer had driven past a stop sign with no intent to halt the vehicle, as well as failing to “keep on the right side of the roadway”.
The plea deal will take place with Justin in absentia, as he currently goes on tour to promote his music. Earlier this week, he wrapped up the European leg of his world tour in Copenhagen, Denmark – with thousands of fans watching on as he performed his biggest hits.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
