Over the years, celebrities have tried to use their status to avoid arrest.
Let's take a look at some examples of people who have used the line, “Do you know who I am?”, from Reese Witherspoon's famous arrest to Justin Timberlake's recent police encounter.
Reese Witherspoon
On April 19, 2013, actress Reese Witherspoon and her ex-husband Jim Toth were arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jim, who was driving, was stopped by Georgia State Police on suspicion of drunk driving.
Reese reportedly refused to stay in the car while Jim administered the breathalyzer tests.
The “Legally Blonde” star began questioning the officer if he knew her identity.
Read more about celebrity arrests
“Do you know my name?” Rees asked, according to The Guardian's arrest report.
“You're going to find out who I am pretty soon. You're going to be on national news.”
Reese was subsequently arrested for criminal mischief and Jim was charged with DUI and failure to maintain lane.
The two were released shortly after their arrest.
On Sunday after his arrest, Reese released a statement saying he had “clearly had too much to drink and am very ashamed of what I said.”
“Yes it was a frightening situation and I was worried about my husband, but that's no excuse.
“I was disrespectful to the police officers who were carrying out their duties. I have great respect for the police and I deeply regret my actions,” she concluded in her statement.
Justin Timberlake
On June 17th, Justin Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York on suspicion of drunk driving.
Justin was charged with one count of DUI and was released without bail the following day, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office confirmed to the U.S. Sun.
The Cry Me A River singer was arrested after refusing a breathalyzer test.
He was also accused of disregarding a stop sign and failing to maintain his lane.
When a 2025 BMW UT was pulled over, authorities smelled alcohol on the singer's breath and noted his eyes were watery and he was speaking slowly.
According to reports, Justin told police he had only had “one martini” at the American Hotel.
After the arrest, a source told Page Six that the officer who arrested Justin “was very young and didn't know who the singer was.”
A source told the media, “At first the officer didn't know who he was. Justin whispered, 'This is ruining the tour.' The officer replied, 'Which tour?' Justin replied, 'The world tour.'”
“We've been through the good times and the bad, the left and the right together, but yeah, it's been a tough week,” he said about his DUI arrest during a show in Chicago.
“You can’t change this.
“I know it's hard to love you sometimes, but you continue to love me and I love you. Thank you so much.”
Justin is due to appear in court again later this month.
Zach Bryan
In early September 2023, country singer Zach Bryan was arrested in Oklahoma on charges of obstructing law enforcement.
Zach was driving nearby in his truck when a police officer pulled Zach's security guard over for speeding.
When they pulled into a parking spot next to the security guard, Zach got out of his car, but the officer instructed him to remain in the vehicle.
Officer dashboard footage showed the “Something in the Orange” singer asking the officer why it was taking so long.
“Well, that's none of your business,” the officer replied. “You need to get back in the truck.”
The officer continued, “Get back in your truck or go to jail,” to which Brian replied, “I'm going to jail.”
The officers handcuffed Brian and escorted him to a patrol car.
“I get it. He's my security. I'm just waiting for him,” Brian tried to explain.
While speaking with officers, Bryan repeatedly requested to be released from his handcuffs and said he would return to his car.
When the officer refused, Brian said, “This is why people hate police officers.”
He reportedly asked if the officers had asked for his identity, then claimed, “I know every sheriff in Tulsa. I know you think nothing of it, but this is insanity.”
Officers took Brian to the police station and released him the same day.
A few hours later, Brian addressed the situation in a video via X.
“I had an incident with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol today. I got carried away and my words went too far,” he said. I have written In the post.
He said he supported police and apologised before addressing the viral mugshot of his face.
“They took me to prison and my mugshot is out there,” he said.
He spoke about the subject again in another post.
“I want to be clear in the video I posted: I was not trying to save face or appear to be the good guy. I was a total spoiled asshole to the officers. I will do everything in my power over the coming weeks to right my wrongs and retract my statements,” he wrote.
“I have great respect for police officers and I made a huge mistake. I am embarrassed for myself, my family and my loved ones, but all I can do at this time is offer a sincere apology.”
Alec Baldwin
Actor Alec Baldwin was arrested in May 2014 for riding his bicycle the wrong way on a New York City street.
As police approached Alec, the “30 Rock” star allegedly began yelling at police.
“Police stated he became combative, began arguing with them and using foul language,” Deputy Chief Kim Y. Royster told CNN.
At the time of the incident, Alec did not have any identification on him, so authorities detained him.
While in custody, Alec reportedly asked a supervisor at the front desk, “How old are these officers that they don't know who I am?”
Alec was indicted and received two summonses, including for misconduct.
He was then released and Alec went to X and wrote down the badge number of the officer who arrested him.
“NYC is a misguided carnival of stupidity, desperate for revenue and hell-bent on criminalizing behavior once deemed harmless,” he wrote in another tweet.
Shia LaBeouf
That same year, actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested in June on charges of disturbing the peace, harassment and trespassing.
The Transformers actor was handcuffed while attending a Broadway production of Cabaret.
Authorities quoted by CNN said Shia was intoxicated and causing a disturbance during the show.
Police officers were called to the scene and escorted him off the premises.
“Fuck this. Fuck this,” Shia said as he was ushered out of the theater.
“Do you know my life? Do you know who I am?”
He was held overnight in a New York City jail.
Timberlake's Star Criminal Lawyer
Justin Timberlake hires Sag Harbor lawyer Ed Burke Jr. for DUI case
Justin's attorneys have represented a variety of prominent people across the East.
In 2015, the lawyer represented Matt Lauer, pre-#MeToo, in a battle with his Water Mill neighbors to plant trees along his property to combat noise from a neighboring property that was startling Lauer's horses.
In 2017, Ed represented Harvey Weinstein in a rear-end crash in a Hamptons parking lot, in which the movie mogul allegedly tried to flee in his car.
In 2001, he represented nightlife publicist Lizzy Grubman, whose car plowed into a crowd of 16 people outside a Hamptons club and then fled the scene.
Shia pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct but other charges were dropped.
After his arrest, Seer sought treatment for alcoholism.
A rep told Us Weekly, “Contrary to previous, erroneous reports, Shia LaBeouf has not entered a rehab facility and is voluntarily receiving treatment for alcoholism.”
“He understands that his recent behavior is a symptom of a larger health issue and has taken the first of many necessary steps toward recovery.”
