Both the 43-year-old Justin Timberlake’s fans and his wife, Jessica Biel, can breathe a sigh of relief. The singer will not have to go to prison, which had seemed quite likely. Moreover, he will not even receive a probation sentence. Many had thought that probation would have been the best possible outcome for his case. However, Edward Beck, Timberlake’s lawyer, managed to achieve a change in the wording of the charges through exceptional skill in his profession.
The situation began when, in June of this year, Justin was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York. The arresting officer claimed that Timberlake was driving under the influence. The officer stopped his vehicle after noticing that the singer had failed to stop at a red light and was driving on the wrong side of the road. When Justin exited the car as instructed by the officer, there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from him. According to the officer, Timberlake’s speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Additionally, the singer refused a breathalyzer test, which is a serious offense in the U.S.
As a result, Justin was charged with drunk driving, which potentially carried a prison sentence. However, the singer’s lawyer managed to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutors. Consequently, Justin, who initially denied being drunk, agreed to a modified charge. He is now facing a charge of “driving with impaired capabilities,” which, in legal terms, means he was drunk but not excessively so. This new charge has drastically altered the case. The amended charge is considered a serious traffic violation rather than a criminal offense like drunk driving. Justin will now face only a fine, which is laughably small given his income level — between $300 and $500. The exact amount will be determined at the next court hearing.
