Justice Carl Irace told Timberlake’s lawyer to “be more mindful when giving comments” when the pop star appeared virtually in court on Aug. 2.

Justin Timberlake during an interview on THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON

Justin Timberlake in New York City in January 2024. Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images

A judge admonished Justin Timberlake’s attorney for his previous statements to the media during the pop star’s virtual court appearance on Friday.

The “Selfish” singer, 43, appeared in court virtually from Antwerp, Belgium on Friday, Aug, 2, and pleaded not guilty to a revised misdemeanor charge of driving drunk following his June DWI arrest, PEOPLE confirmed.

During the proceedings — which resulted in Timberlake’s driving privileges in New York being revoked —  Sag Harbor Village Justice Carl Irace warned the “No Angels” singer’s lawyer Edward Burke Jr. against continuing to speak to the press at length.

Irace told Burke to “be more mindful when giving comments” to the media and added that he finds the statements Burke has been giving “come off as an attempt to poison the case before it even begins.”

The judge warned that if Burke continues to make such comments, Irace will implement a gag order on the case and require Timberlake to appear in court in person, although the pop star is currently on the European leg of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake.Andrew H Walker/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Also during the hearing, Burke also withdrew the motion he put forth last week to dismiss the case.

The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9, followed by a tentative court date of Sept. 13 depending on next week’s proceedings.

Timberlake’s one-count DWI charge also included a citation for running a stop sign and a citation for failing to keep in lane.

During Timberlake’s last court hearing on Friday, July 26, Burke said Timberlake was “not intoxicated” when he was arrested in Sag Harbor, N.Y. on June 18.

“I’ll say it again. Justin Timberlake was not intoxicated. And we are very confident that charge — that criminal charge — will be dismissed,” he said, per WABC.

“The most important fact to know about this case is that Justin was not intoxicated and should not have been arrested for DWI,” Burke shared in a statement with PEOPLE following the July 26 appearance.

Justin Timberlake, actor and musician, is at the photo shoot for the movie "Trolls World Tour" at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria.

Justin Timberlake in February 2020.Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty

“The police made a number of very significant errors in this case. In court today, you heard the district attorney try to fix one of those errors. But that’s just one and there are many others. Sometimes the police make mistakes and this is just one of those instances.”

“Justin respects law enforcement and the very important job that they do. He cooperated with the police officers at all times and treated them with the respect they deserve. He also respects the entire judicial process including the District Attorney and Judge who were in court today. But the fact remains, he was not intoxicated and they made an error in arresting him for it. We are confident that this charge will be dismissed,” Burke added at the time.

Justin Timberlake pleads guilty in connection to DWI case

Sag Harbor Police told PEOPLE in June that on the night of his arrest, the pop star allegedly failed “to stop at a duly posted stop sign” and “maintain” his vehicle’s “lane of travel” while driving a 2025 BMW.

Timberlake was held overnight and arraigned at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court before being “released on his own recognizance,” authorities said in June.