Britney Spears Formally Charged With DUI Following March Arrest in California

Pop star Britney Spears was formally charged Thursday with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Ventura County, California, nearly two months following her initial arrest.

Spears, 44, faces a single misdemeanor charge of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors did not specify what substances were allegedly found in her system, nor the amount of drugs or alcohol allegedly consumed.

Spears was arrested on March 4 by California Highway Patrol, on suspicion of driving under the influence, after she was pulled over for driving erratically. Officers observed signs of impairment and conducted field sobriety tests before taking her into custody.

The singer was booked at around 3 a.m. on March 5 and released shortly after 6 a.m. Jail records list her arrest as a “cite and release,” with no probation. Officials completed their investigation into the matter on March 23, before presenting the case to prosecutors.

“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” a representative for Spears told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement at the time.

“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,” the statement continued. “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.”

Earlier this month, the award-winning singer voluntarily entered a substance abuse treatment facility shortly after the incident. Spears is scheduled to be arraigned on May 4; however, she will not be required to make an in-court appearance.

Best known for her chart-topping hits “Oops! … I Did It Again!“ and ”Baby One More Time,” Spears has had several brushes with the law over the years.

In 2007, she was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run after crashing her car into another vehicle in a Los Angeles parking lot before fleeing the scene. The case was later dismissed after she agreed to pay the driver an undisclosed amount in damages.

Following the incident, Spears lost custody of her two sons Sean Preston, and Jayden James, whom she shares with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

In 2008, Spears was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation after suffering a series of mental health crises. She was subsequently placed under a court-ordered conservatorship overseen primarily by her father, Jamie Spears.

Her finances, career, and personal life decisions remained under his control for 13 years, before a Los Angeles County judge granted approval to terminate the legal arrangement in 2021.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.