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Singer pleads guilty to reduced charge
Pop star Britney Spears will not face jail time after agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol, her lawyer announced on Monday.
Spears, 44, was arrested on 4 March on a southern California highway after law enforcement reported she was driving her BMW "erratically at a high rate of speed." She did not attend Monday's court hearing.
Legal outcome and probation terms
Through her attorney Michael Goldstein, Spears entered a guilty plea to what is known as a "wet reckless" charge-a reduced offense often offered to first-time offenders with no prior DUI history, no collisions, and low blood-alcohol levels.
Under the agreement, Spears will serve 12 months of probation, complete a court-mandated DUI education program, and pay fines and fees. The original DUI charge was dismissed.
"Through her plea today, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct. She has taken significant steps to implement positive change," Goldstein said in a statement.
Michael Goldstein, Britney Spears' attorney
Background and public response
Following her arrest, Spears voluntarily admitted herself to a rehabilitation facility. Her representatives described the incident as "completely inexcusable" in earlier statements.
The Ventura County District Attorney's Office confirmed the charge reduction aligns with standard protocol for cases meeting specific criteria, including no injuries or property damage.
Spears' career and personal history
Spears rose to global fame as a child star, with iconic hits like Baby One More Time, Toxic, and Gimme More dominating charts. Her career was later overshadowed by a 13-year conservatorship, which ended in 2021, during which her father controlled her finances and personal decisions.
