Britney Spears pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of reckless driving in connection with a DUI case, avoiding jail time. The 44-year-old pop star did not appear in court in Ventura County, California, as her lawyer entered the plea on her behalf.
Spears was initially charged with driving under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug after her arrest on 4 March. Police stopped her on US 101 in southern California for allegedly driving her BMW fast and erratically. She appeared impaired and was taken to county jail after failing field sobriety tests.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko confirmed that Spears took responsibility at the 'earliest stage' and agreed to continue treatment. She received a sentence of one year of informal probation, must attend a DUI class, and pay state-mandated fines. As part of the plea, she also agreed to submit to searches and sobriety tests if stopped by police.
Spears voluntarily entered a substance abuse treatment program after her arrest and has since completed it. Her attorney, Michael A Goldstein, said, 'I don’t think anybody’s happy about pleading guilty to anything, but under the circumstances, to get this behind her, I think everybody is pleased with the result.'
The district attorney's office noted that the lesser charge is common for first-time offenders who undergo treatment. Nasarenko emphasised that DUI is a serious crime with 'catastrophic consequences', adding that the goal is 'treatment and rehabilitation' for all offenders regardless of fame.
Spears was previously under a 14-year conservatorship, which ended in 2021. She has since released singles with Elton John and will.i.am but has stated she will not return to the music industry.
