Justin Timberlake Reportedly Chose His Family Over DWI Drama In Sealing Plea Deal
More information is coming to light on Justin Timberlake's plea deal and why he wished to put the DWI drama behind him.
The "Selfish" singer went viral in June following his arrest at Sag Harbor, New York, for driving while intoxicated. He recently scored a deal to plead guilty to a lesser charge, an offer his wife allegedly begged him to take.
Justin Timberlake is married to actress Jessica Biel and has two sons with her—a blossoming life the Prince of Pop prioritizes above everything else.
Why Did Justin Timberlake Take The Plea Deal?
A day after news of Timberlake's plea deal broke, an insider claimed the singer accepted prosecutors' offer because of his family. They claimed he was ready to put the drama behind him and focus on what matters, saying:
"He's a family man, and this is his focus. He accepted a plea deal because he wants to move on. The court case has been a distraction. He doesn't want his family to be affected by it."
The source noted that Timberlake's wife played a significant role in his decision, claiming she had been unhappy about the DWI case. In their statement to PEOPLE, the informant added:
"It's not like he's getting off completely — his license is still suspended. Jess has not been happy about it. She's encouraged him to accept the plea deal."
Timberlake Wants To Focus On His 'Forget Tomorrow' World Tour
Besides prioritizing his family, the insider noted that Timberlake wished to focus on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour. He is scheduled to perform in Newark, New York, on September 28 and remain on the road through June 2025.
This isn't the first time sources have addressed the singer's focus on his tour. Shortly after his June DWI arrest, an informant stressed that Timberlake and Biel had "moved on from the arrest."
They claimed the couple were focused on work, with Timberlake prioritizing his tour and Biel shooting the upcoming Prime Video series "The Better Sister."
At the time, the singer echoed similar sentiments about fans being his priority at a June concert, claiming: "I know sometimes I'm hard to love, but you keep on loving me, and I love you right back."
Inside The Prince Of Pop's Plea Deal
The Blast recently reported about Timberlake's plea deal, revealing that his attorney and prosecutors had gotten a judge to sign off on the agreement. Per their arrangement, the singer would not be held accountable for the DWI charge.
Instead, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the charge and punish Timberlake for a lesser crime — Driving While Ability Impaired. Although the word "impaired" was used, it did not make the crime a drunk driving offense but more of a traffic violation.
The new charge was a significant win in the Prince of Pop's case, as his punishment ranged between a $300 to $500 fine. A judge would determine the exact sum to be paid in a hearing on Friday, September 13.
Why Did Timberlake's Driver's License Get Suspended?
The drama surrounding Timberlake's driver's license was explained at an August hearing, in which the singer was absent. Judge Carl Irace suspended his driving privileges under New York state regulations.
According to the legal umpire, Timberlake's refusal to take a breathalyzer test during his June arrest sparked the suspension of his driver's license for a year. The judge's order came at the heels of his dismissal petition.
The singer's attorney, Edward Burke Jr., attempted to get his DWI charge dismissed. He claimed his client was not intoxicated while citing errors in the paperwork signed by police from his arrest.
Timberlake's legal rep claimed the document was signed by a part-time cop instead of a supervising officer. He also argued that the Sag Harbor Police sergeant should have been present.
Justin Timberlake Sold His Nashville Ranch Following His Arrest
Despite his arrest putting a gray cloud over June for Timberlake, The Blast shared that he enjoyed a little rainbow amid his DWI case. He sold his sprawling 126-acre ranch in Nashville, Tennessee, for $8 million.
The sale came ten months after the singer placed the property on the market. Although his original asking price was $10 million, he reportedly made a $4 million profit from the transaction, buying the ranch for $4 million in 2015.
The ranch boasted unique mountain views and lush green space perfect for horseback riding, fishing, and mountain biking. Other celebrities had homes in the area, including Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Nicole Kidman, and her husband Keith Urban.
With his DWI case nearing its conclusion, Justin Timberlake can finally move on from the drama and not worry about the negative attention.
