Britney Spears pleaded guilty to a DUI charge and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation during her arraignment at Ventura County Superior Court on Monday.
The 44-year-old pop star – who recently left rehab after a three-week stint following her arrest on March 4 – did not appear in court, but entered a guilty plea via her lawyer, Michael A Goldstein.
On Thursday, the Daily Mail obtained documents revealing Spears was facing criminal charges as Ventura County prosecutors charged her with one count of misdemeanor DUI.
As it is a misdemeanor charge, the celebrity was not required to attend and her attorney could make the appearance for her.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s office, Spears was offered a ‘wet reckless,’ which allows the person charged to plead guilty to reckless driving involving alcohol and/or drugs.
The plea bargain is reserved for defendants with no prior history of DUI, people with a low blood alcohol level, when there is no injury or crash, and when the subject shows ‘self-motivation to address underlying issues through rehabilitation or a drug and alcohol program.’
Britney Spears was arraigned at Ventura County Superior Court on Monday morning on a misdemeanor DUI charge related to her March 4 arrest
At the time, the Daily Mail revealed the pop star (pictured behind the wheel in Thousand Oaks back in February) was taken into custody by California Highway Patrol at around 9.30pm on Wednesday night, March 4 in Ventura County after several 911 calls
At the time of arrest, the Daily Mail revealed the pop star was taken into custody by California Highway Patrol at around 9.30pm on Wednesday night, March 4, in Ventura County after several 911 calls.
The singer, who was recently seen driving and behaving erratically, was released the following morning, according to Ventura County Sheriff records.
Representatives for Spears released a statement in response to the arrest to the Daily Mail in March which read: ‘This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable. Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.
‘Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well being.’
Her car was towed and impounded by Roy’s Towing in Thousand Oaks, California.
The Baby One More Time singer seemingly expressed immediate remorse as sources said she was ‘crying a lot’ while being processed at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, according to TMZ at the time.
The pop star, (seen in an Instagram video) left rehab days ago after a three-week stint
When a person gets a DUI in California, their driver’s license is automatically suspended.
There is also potential jail time, a hefty fine of over $1,000 and mandatory DUI education programs.
A first offense typically involves three to five years of probation, a six-month license suspension and about six months of DUI school.
On February 12, Spears was spotted behind the wheel of her Mercedes SUV taking a spin around Los Angeles, appearing to break the law as she held her cell phone to her face. (Talking on the phone is illegal in California under the ‘No Touch’ law, under Vehicle Code 23123.5). She was not charged in connection with the incident.
It was, however, not an isolated incident for Spears, who, in recent months, was filmed swerving into the wrong lane on a highway after a night out. At the time, sources feared she was ‘spiraling’ amid the release of her ex-husband Federline‘s memoir. The two were married from 2004 to 2007.
Her history with the police also included being cited for a hit-and-run (misdemeanor) after hitting a parked car in 2007. This was dismissed after Spears paid an undisclosed sum to the owner, it was reported at the time.
Spears (seen at the MTV Video Music Awards in August 2016) was not required to appear in court for a misdemeanor charge, but pleaded guilty via her attorney
She was also cited for driving without a valid California license in 2008, which was later dismissed by a judge.
In 2023, law enforcement visited Spears’ home regarding a video involving knives, but no charges were filed.
Spears has had very public personal struggles for nearly two decades: In 2007, the star famously suffered a harrowing breakdown after exhibiting worrying behavior in the months leading up to her infamous psychiatric hold.
The then 25-year-old popstar had fans concerned after she shaved her head and attacked a paparazzi’s car with a green umbrella – before checking into a rehab facility.
The Toxic singer suffered another setback after a disastrous performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, where her performance of Gimme More was heavily criticized by both fans and critics alike.
Then, in January 2008, she was put under lockdown at a facility after refusing to hand her young son over to ex-husband Federline.
