Justin Timberlake's driver's license hit a sour note after he appeared virtually from Belgium for a DWI hearing, where his lawyer got an earful and the judge threatened a gag order.

The international pop star's brush with the law reached a crescendo this week, as his driver's license was officially suspended. During a contentious virtual hearing, which Timberlake joined from Antwerp sporting a low-key black collared shirt, the judge berated his attorney, Edward Burke Jr., for irresponsible remarks and hinted at imposing a gag order. Timberlake's arrest on June 18, following a stop sign violation and erratic driving on Long Island, has sparked a symphony of legal troubles. Despite pleading not guilty and claiming a single martini led to his glassy-eyed sobriety test failures, the DWI charge and refusal to take a breath test might prove to be less than harmonious in court.

The judge pulled no punches during the hearing, taking lawyer Edward Burke Jr. to task for what he termed 'irresponsible' comments. The potential imposition of a gag order could mute any further off-key remarks from Timberlake's defense. It's clear the court expects this case to be handled with a more somber tone, despite Timberlake's occasional comedic takes on the situation.

Timberlake's trouble began on June 18 when police arrested him following an array of driving faux pas in Long Island. According to court documents, the pop star failed to stop at a stop sign and struggled to keep his vehicle in the correct lane. Upon being pulled over, officers noted Timberlake's bloodshot and glassy eyes - indicators that he might have had more than just one too many. His performance on all standardized field sobriety tests seemed to support this perception.

'I only had one martini,' Timberlake claimed, channeling more crooner than confessor. His refusal to take a breath test might suggest otherwise, though. His night had started innocuously enough with a dinner at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor but soured quickly after the traffic infractions.

Burke Jr., Timberlake's attorney, insists that the police report is not without its own set of errors, indicating potential cracks in the prosecution's case. However, even the smoothest defense might stumble when the video evidence of a bumbling field sobriety test is inevitably replayed.

Adding a touch of transatlantic flair to his legal woes, Timberlake appeared virtually from Antwerp, Belgium. Sporting a black collared shirt in a bid to maintain a somber and unassuming image, he tried to navigate the serious aspects of his predicament. It’s doubtful a fashion statement will trump the gravity of a DWI charge, though.

Humor, it seems, remains his balm. During a performance in Boston, Timberlake jokingly asked the crowd if anyone was driving, a playful nod to his recent troubles behind the wheel. Yet, despite his best efforts to downplay the situation with jokes, the legal ramifications are less likely to be amused.

In the hearing that transpired more than a month after his arrest, Timberlake maintained a plea of not guilty. His legal team’s assertion of police errors aims to be a key note in the coming legal symphony. If proven, these alleged errors could resonate loudly in Timberlake’s favor.

Nevertheless, the immediate repercussion is clear: Timberlake's driver's license has been suspended. The pop star, known for his smooth moves and catchy hooks, might find his dance card a little less full without the freedom to drive.

As the legal saga unfolds, fans and critics alike will be watching to see whether Timberlake can turn this dissonant note into a ballad of redemption, or if the judge’s gavel will write the final chorus to his vehicular misadventure.