Singer and actor Justin Timberlake is seeking to stop the release of police body-camera footage connected to his drunk-driving arrest in New York. The legal move comes as media organizations have requested access to the video.
Timberlake was arrested in June 2024 in Sag Harbor after police said he ran a stop sign and failed to stay in his lane while driving. Officers later charged him with driving while intoxicated, along with additional traffic violations.
In court documents filed in March, the singer’s lawyers asked a judge to prevent the footage from being publicly released. They argue that making the video public would invade his privacy and could harm both his personal life and professional reputation.
According to the petition, the body-cam recordings include moments from the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, and parts of the time he spent in police custody. His legal team claims some of the material shows personal details unrelated to public oversight of law enforcement.
The request comes after journalists filed a Freedom of Information request seeking access to the footage. Timberlake’s attorneys say the video’s release would “cause severe and irreparable harm” while offering little public benefit.
Following the incident, Timberlake later reached a plea deal and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired. As part of the agreement, he was required to pay a fine and complete community service.
For now, the court will decide whether the footage should remain private or eventually be released to the public.
