LONDON, May 5 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Pop star Britney Spears has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after being arrested for driving under the influence, reported PA Media/dpa.
The 44-year-old singer was charged with driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs in California last month.
She did not appear at a hearing at Ventura County Court on Monday, but her lawyer pleaded guilty to the lesser charge on her behalf, allowing her to avoid a custodial prison sentence, a court spokesman said.
The plea offer will instead allow Spears to carry out a year of probation and be fined, and is standard for defendants with no history of driving under the influence (DUI), road crashes, and a low blood alcohol level.
It is especially common for defendants who have shown motivation to address their problems and seek treatment, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said.
The charge came just weeks after the chart-topper voluntarily checked herself into rehab.
The "Toxic" singer, who has a home in the area, was arrested on March 5 after she was seen driving “erratically” in her black BMW 430i.
Police said Spears “showed signs of impairment and submitted to a series of field sobriety tests” after being pulled over.
District attorney Erik Nasarenko said on Monday: “Ms Spears took responsibility for this misdemeanour offence, entering a guilty plea at the earliest stage and two months from the day she was arrested.
“Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and doing so recklessly and erratically is an extremely serious crime endangering everyone on our roads and freeways.”
He said Spears must also complete a three-month first offender DUI programme and submit to chemical testing for alcohol and/or drugs while driving.
Spears is also required to continue her substance abuse treatment.
“Our goal is not only to hold individuals accountable, but to support long-term behavioural change through treatment and rehabilitation,” he added.
“The court has put those conditions in place. It is now up to Ms Spears to follow them.”
In 2007, the Mississippi-born singer avoided a criminal hit-and-run trial by paying damages after photographers pictured Spears steering her car into another vehicle as she tried to park in a California car park, and walking away after assessing the damage to her own car.
Spears’ decades-long career has seen her achieve six UK number one singles and eight UK top 10 albums, and she has also collaborated with stars such as Madonna, Rihanna, Iggy Azalea and Backstreet Boys.
Most recently, Spears released a collaboration with Elton John in 2022, and later collaborated with Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am on a track titled "Mind Your Business" in 2023.
--BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
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