The organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving said Newsweek The company said it was “deeply disappointed” that Justin Timberlake was only sentenced to community service after accepting a plea deal on Friday to face a lesser charge in connection with his drunken driving arrest in the Hamptons in June.

The 43-year-old cry Me A River The singer’s original drunken driving charge was dropped on Friday. Instead, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, a non-criminal traffic violation.

Timberlake, who has two young sons with his wife Jessica Biel, was sentenced to 25 to 40 hours of community service at a nonprofit of his choice in the Sag Harbor area and must pay a fine of up to $500.

A MADD spokesman said Newsweek In a statement, they said: “Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is deeply disappointed that Justin Timberlake was granted a plea deal in his alleged drunk driving arrest. MADD does not support plea deals in cases involving driving under the influence because we believe justice should prevail for such a serious crime. Driving under the influence is a dangerous and reckless decision that puts lives at risk, and the consequences should reflect the severity of that decision. While plea deals are often granted for defendants with no prior drunk driving convictions, they should not be the norm for a crime that kills or injures someone every 78 seconds in the United States.”

“The key to eradicating this 100% preventable crime is life-saving anti-drunk driving technology. The HALT Act, passed in November 2021, requires NHTSA to set a new national safety standard for anti-drunk driving technology in all new vehicles by November 15, 2024. This deadline is fast approaching, and MADD is calling on NHTSA to take immediate action to ensure this life-saving technology is incorporated into every new vehicle to prevent people from knowingly choosing to drive while under the influence.”

The statement on Newsweek concluded by saying, “Unfortunately, the outcome of this case is similar to what happens every day across the country, to the horror of the victims and survivors of this crime. What was different today, however, is that Justin Timberlake stood in front of a crowd of reporters, admitted he made a bad decision, and urged people not to drive if they’ve only had one drink. We hope he will continue to use his platform to educate the public about the very real health crisis of driving under the influence.”

Newsweek has asked representatives for Timberlake and Biel for comment.

Timberlake speaks after court hearing: “Take a taxi”

When the judge asked him on Friday if he would be willing to do community service in the affluent Sag Harbor neighborhood, Timberlake replied, “It would be an honor.”

After the hearing, Timberlake’s attorney Edward Burke Jr. insisted that his client had only had one drink in two hours on the night of his arrest.

“Contrary to what has been reported, he did not drink other people’s drinks, nor was he warned in advance not to drive,” Burke said, adding that the lesser charge to which Timberlake pleaded “is consistent with those facts.”

As part of his guilty plea, Timberlake was required to make a public statement about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Many of you have probably been with me my entire life, and as you may know, I try to hold myself to very high standards. That is not the case here,” Timberlake told reporters outside the courthouse after Friday’s hearing. “I was in a situation where I could have made a different decision.”

“Even if you just have one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. There are so many alternatives: call a friend, take an Uber. There are a lot of travel apps. Take a taxi,” Timberlake continued.

He also delivered a message to the people of Sag Harbor.

“I grew up in a small town, so I understand the stress and the unique nature of this case for the people of Sag Harbor. However, I want to say to everyone involved, everyone in the courtroom and everyone outside, including the police, that I am very grateful and thank you,” Timberlake continued.

He concluded by saying, “This is a mistake I made, but I hope that everyone watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know I certainly did. In closing, I want to say that we can all be safer out there. And I will do my part. I hope everyone else does their part. Thank you very much.”

Timberlake’s previous PSA report on alcohol consumption and alcohol history

A 2001 Budweiser commercial featuring boy band NSYNC promoting responsible drinking has resurfaced after Timberlake agreed to a deal on Friday.

“Hey, how’s it going, we’re *NSYNC,” says Lance Bass in the commercial as a teenager’s father opens the front door and finds the pop sensations.

“Do you know the band *NSYNC?” adds Chris Kirkpatrick.

“We’re just going door to door to say thank you,” Timberlake says in the clip, with Joey Fatone adding, “Yeah, for talking to your kids about drinking.”

JC Chasez tells the father, who is initially confused and then smiling, “Despite all our success, you still have a greater influence on your children than we do.”

In 2019, alcohol got Timberlake into trouble when paparazzi caught him holding hands with his Palmer Co-star Alisha Wainwright in New Orleans. Timberlake publicly apologized to his wife Jessica Biel, 42, in a lengthy Instagram caption, admitting that he “drank way too much that night” but “nothing happened between me and my co-star.”

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