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Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving after arrest

The 44-year-old will avoid jail time after her arrest in California earlier this year.

Published May 4, 2026, 4:41 PM
Updated May 11, 2026, 3:42 PM3.9K
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Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving after arrest

AFP via Getty Images US singer Britney Spears arrives for the premiere of Sony Pictures' "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on July 22, 2019. AFP via Getty Images

Britney Spears will avoid jail time after she agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge following her arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

A lawyer for the 44-year-old appeared in court in on Monday and pleaded guilty to reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol. Spears was not required to attend the hearing.

She was arrested on 4 March on a southern California highway after driving her BMW "erratically at a high rate of speed", authorities said.

Spears reportedly checked herself into a rehabilitation treatment facility afterwards. Her representatives have called the incident "completely inexcusable".

"Through her plea today, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct," a statement from her lawyer Michael Goldstein said.

"She has taken significant steps to implement positive change which is clearly reflected in the Ventura County District Attorney's decision to reduce the charge in this case and dismiss the DUI," he added.

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