Britney Spears Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge in DUI Case, Avoids Jail Time

Britney Spears pleaded guilty to a reduced charge stemming from her Southern California arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, and will avoid jail time as a result.

Spears, 44, entered the plea on Monday through her attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, in Ventura County Superior court. The entertainer was not present in court for the arraignment, a standard which is allowed for misdemeanor proceedings.

“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,” Goldstein told reporters after the hearing. “We appreciate the district attorney recognizing the positive steps that Britney is taking to help herself.”

Spears pleaded guilty to what’s commonly known as a “wet reckless,” which reduces her DUI charge to a reckless driving charge under California’s Vehicle Code. She was sentenced to 12 months probation and one day of jail, credited as time served, by Ventura County Commissioner Matthew Nemerson.

Spears was ordered to pay mandated fines, complete a state-approved DUI education program for three months, and meet with a therapist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month.

She also waived her search and seizure rights, meaning her vehicle can be inspected for drugs or alcohol in the event she is pulled over again.

The award-winning pop star was formally charged last week, with a single misdemeanor of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug, two months after her initial arrest.

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.

Last month, Spears voluntarily entered a substance abuse treatment facility shortly after the incident. Goldstein notes the singer has since returned home after fully completing rehabilitation, despite any conflicting or “false” reports claiming she left early.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko reaffirmed that DUI is a “serious crime” but said Spears had taken “full responsibility,” for her actions, adding that “we do not want Miss Spears to reoffend.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.