Britney Spears pleaded guilty on Monday to a reckless driving charge in a driving under the influence case, avoiding jail time. The 44-year-old pop star was initially charged with driving while under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug after her arrest in March.
Spears did not appear in Ventura County court, as the misdemeanor charge did not require her attendance. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko confirmed that Spears entered the plea through her attorney, taking responsibility at the earliest stage. She agreed to continue treatment and was sentenced to a year of informal probation, a DUI class, and state-mandated fines.
Police arrested Spears on March 4 after stopping her on US 101 in southern California for allegedly driving her BMW fast and erratically. The California Highway Patrol said she appeared impaired and was taken to county jail after field sobriety tests. She was released on bail the next day and voluntarily entered a substance abuse treatment program.
As part of the plea, Spears agreed to a diminished expectation of privacy in her car, allowing searches and sobriety tests if stopped by police. She also agreed to continue mental health and substance abuse treatment and to regularly see a psychologist and psychiatrist.
Spears's attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, entered the guilty plea on her behalf and confirmed she recently completed her stay in rehab. He 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.'
