Hearing Set For Justin Bieber lawyers’ Motion To Block Release Of Jail Video

Miami — A hearing has been set on a motion by Justin Bieber’s lawyers to stop news media organizations obtaining unreleased video footage of the teen star in a South Florida jail after his suspected DUI arrest last month.

The hearing is scheduled for next Thursday, February 20, and will be heard before a Miami-Dade County judge.

The Associated Press reports Bieber’s lawyers state in the motion they want more time to review the video of him in custody.

The team have said they will to file a supplement to their “instant preliminary motion” after viewing the footage.

For Bieber, the stakes are high.

The motion states he was “captured on videotape in various states of undress which show intimate personal parts of the defendant’s body.”

It asked the Florida County Court to order a stay on all disclosure requests for custody video footage of Bieber to prevent “irreparable harm.”

In addition, the motion stated that the Florida Constitution under Article 1: Sections 23 and 24 and Florida statutes 119.15 Section 6 (b) 2 allowed for exemptions to disclosure of public records.

However, attorneys for news outlets say there is no basis under Florida public records laws for keeping the video sealed, according to the State’s interpretation of Sunshine Regulations requiring openness in government and all public bodies.

The issue is quite literally whether Bieber’s “body” is covered by that requirement or whether exemptions exist to prevent the disclosure of clearly sensitive and compromising images of a human being.

Earlier this week, TMZ reported law enforcement sources said footage existed of the singer stumbling at Miami Beach Police Station, adding it also showed him urinating in his holding cell.

The celebrity gossip quoted a source who purportedly saw the arrest video, as saying;

“Justin is seen several times stumbling around while he was taking his tests. As if he had a problem with his balance…[it] also shows Justin taking his various tests and eventually taking a piss.”

The source went on, “The stumbling and going to the bathroom is obviously reason enough for his attorneys to request it be sealed… If I was trying to paint a picture that my client was innocent… I wouldn’t want a video of him stumbling around and looking out of it to go public either.”

Bieber was filmed on CCTV cameras at Miami Beach Police Station following his arrest on January 23 after what police described as an illegal street drag race. He and fellow arrestee, singer Khalil Sharieff, were taken to the station for tests, booking and processing.

The “Heartbreaker” singer’s legal team filed a next day motion after a video of Bieber getting a pat down at the station was released by Miami police last Thursday.

A subsequent toxicology report revealed marijuana and the anxiety-drug Xanax were present in Bieber’s system at the time of arrest, which corroborated a police report statement that he admitted taking prescription medication, smoking pot and drinking beer earlier.

However, his blood alcohol level in two completed breath tests was 0.011 and 0.014 — well below intoxication limits. But, at 19, Justin is still underage by two years under US drinking laws.

A March 3 trial date has been set for Bieber on misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest and driving with an invalid license.

He pleaded not guilty in writing through a lawyer on January 29.

The motion documents can be viewed here.

Recommended read via TV Guide staff editor Sadie Gennis.