Justin Timberlake appeared virtually in Sag Harbor Village Justice Court on Friday to plead not guilty at an arraignment do-over for his June 18 driving while intoxicated charge.
Before the arraignment, Ed Burke Jr., Mr. Timberlake's attorney, told reporters that the hearing would be "very procedural."
The hearing also addressed Mr. Burke's motion to dismiss, which he submitted at a prior hearing on July 26.
Village Justice Carl Irace accepted an amended charging document filed by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Cangro, and Mr. Burke agreed to withdraw his dismissal motion since it had stemmed from an administrative error. The motion was deemed moot when Justice Irace proceeded with a new arraignment.
As the court session began, Mr. Timberlake, 43, had his camera turned off, but Justice Irace informed the courtroom that local rules require cameras to be on for virtual court appearances. Mr. Timberlake, who is currently on a concert tour in Belgium, complied.
During the hearing, Justice Irace admonished Mr. Burke for statements made outside the courtroom last week, which "did not seem constructive to the judicial process." The judge also said he found some of the statements "at odds" with what had been said in court.
"I urge counsel to be more cautious when giving out-of-court statements," Justice Irace said, reminding Mr. Burke that the court could take official action — such as a gag order — if it becomes an issue again. Additionally, the judge expressed uneasiness about comments being made without Mr. Timberlake present.
Justice Irace also signed a license suspension for Mr. Timberlake, prohibiting the Tennessee-based singer from driving in New York while the case proceeds through court.
Typically, the courthouse restricts the use of cameras, but the judge allowed a single photographer into the courtroom to take photos on Friday. "The press and public have a right to be here," Justice Irace said in explaining his decision. The photos were later shared with other members of the press.
Toward the end of the hearing, Justice Irace asked Mr. Timberlake when he could be present at the Sag Harbor courthouse for a personal appearance. Having previously discussed the topic with his client, Mr. Burke suggested Sept. 13 as a tentative date. According to Mr. Timberlake's tour calendar, that would fall after his Sept. 7 show in France but before his Sept. 28 show in Newark, N.J.
Before then, though, another virtual conference was scheduled for Aug. 9.
The courthouse was largely empty on Friday morning, as there was only one other case on the docket. Mr. Timberlake's arraignment redo was set on an atypical scheduling day for the court. Typically, hearings occur every other Friday.
"I'm not going to have any comment after today's proceedings," Mr. Burke said outside the municipal building, taking procedural questions only.
