Justin Timberlake Considered Body Cam Footage Release 'Best Alternative' in 'Final Nod' to DWI Arrest (Exclusive Source)

Daniela Avila, Linda MarxMon, March 23, 2026 at 9:50 PM UTC

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Justin Timberlake in Los Angeles in April 2024Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty -

A source tells PEOPLE that Justin Timberlake saw the March 20 release of redacted police body cam footage of his DWI arrest as the "best alternative"

"He hopes this release puts a final nod to all of it," the source said

The musician was arrested in June 2024; reaching a plea deal in September of that year

Justin Timberlake wants to move forward.

After redacted police body camera footage of the musician's 2024 DWI arrest was released over the weekend, a source tells PEOPLE that he hoped it would mark the end of the news cycle surrounding the incident.

“He tried to keep it sealed, but when the [option] came up to keep some of it private that seemed to be the best alternative," the source tells PEOPLE. "He is a very private guy when it comes to his personal life."

"This whole thing was a shock to his system and to Jessica [Biel]," the source adds of his actress wife. "But they talked it out and have moved on. He hopes this release puts a final nod to all of it.”

A rep for Timberlake did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment.

Justin Timberlake in Paris, France in July 2025Credit: Lyvans Boolaky/WireImage

Timberlake, 45, was arrested by the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) in June 2024 after he left the American Hotel and restaurant on Long Island, N.Y.. He was initially charged with one count of driving while intoxicated and two citations, one for running a stop sign and one for failure to keep in the lane.

Since then, his lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., has maintained that the singer was “not intoxicated” when he was arrested. In September 2024, Timberlake reached a plea deal, where he agreed to plead guilty to a lesser offense, pay a fine, lose his license for 90 days and complete community service.

The "Mirrors" singer previously took legal action to block the release of the police body cam footage from his arrest but it was released on March 20 after he reached a settlement with the Sag Harbor Village Police Department (SHVPD) and local officials.

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According to documents obtained by PEOPLE, the "My Love" singer filed a petition on March 2 in Suffolk County Supreme Court, alleging that releasing the police body camera footage of his arrest would invade his privacy.

"Public dissemination of this footage would cause severe and irreparable harm to [Timberlake’s] personal and professional reputation, subject [Timberlake] to public ridicule and harassment, and serve no legitimate public interest," the petition stated.

However, Timberlake agreed to the public release of a version of the footage that "does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy," the documents stated.

The arrest footage featured several awkward moments of Timberlake, including him explaining to police what he did for work. In another instance, police performed a series of field sobriety tests and Timberlake can be heard saying, "These are, like, hard tests."

Justin Timberlake in redacted police body cam footageCredit: Sag Harbor Police Department via AP

Over the weekend, a separate source told PEOPLE that Biel, 44 — who shares sons Silas, 10, and Phineas, 5½, with Timberlake — was supporting him through the release of the footage but she was "not happy."

"There have been some challenging moments lately, and she's focused on moving forward," the source said. "She's the happiest when she's able to focus on family life, along with her work when she chooses to take on projects."

The source added, "She's supportive of Justin, but she's also not afraid to express when she's disappointed in certain decisions. This was one of those moments."

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”