Singer and actor Justin Timberlake has filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the release of police body camera footage related to his 2024 impaired driving arrest in the Hamptons.
The legal action was filed in New York against the village of Sag Harbor and its local police department after officials indicated they planned to release portions of the footage in response to public records requests. Authorities say the material includes video captured by officers during the traffic stop, sobriety testing, arrest and detention following the incident.
Timberlake’s legal team argues that releasing the footage would invade the performer’s privacy and expose highly personal details recorded while he was in a vulnerable situation during the roadside encounter with law enforcement.
According to court filings, the video reportedly spans several hours and documents the sequence of events from the initial traffic stop through to the time Timberlake spent in custody after his arrest.
A hearing was held in a New York court to consider the request. Rather than issuing an immediate ruling, the judge instructed lawyers for both sides to attempt to reach an agreement and report back later in the week.
The dispute centres on transparency laws in New York that often require police body camera footage to be released when requested by the public or media organisations. Local officials say they have reviewed the footage to ensure that no information is released that could endanger police officers or the public.
The incident that led to the arrest took place in June 2024 in Sag Harbor, a coastal village in the Hamptons region east of New York City. Police stopped Timberlake after observing traffic violations including allegedly running a stop sign and drifting out of his lane.
Officers reported detecting alcohol when he exited his vehicle.
The case was later resolved in September 2024 when Timberlake pleaded guilty to a reduced charge related to impaired driving. The original charge was lowered as part of a plea agreement.
Under the terms of the deal, Timberlake received a $500 fine, was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service and had his driver’s licence suspended for 90 days.
As part of the agreement, the performer also participated in a public safety message warning about the dangers of driving after consuming alcohol.
The current lawsuit focuses solely on whether the video footage from the arrest should be made public.
If the court ultimately allows the release, the recordings could become part of the public record through open records laws. If the request is blocked, the footage would remain confidential.
The judge is expected to revisit the matter once both parties return to court following discussions about a potential resolution.
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