Britney Spears’ attorney appeared in Ventura County Superior Court Monday on the pop star’s behalf and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge stemming from her March 4 DUI arrest.
The “Toxic” singer, 44, was not present in court, as she was not required to appear, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
At the hearing, Spears’ attorney accepted a “wet reckless” offer — a reduced charge involving reckless driving with alcohol or drugs that is commonly extended in cases involving first-time offenders, low blood alcohol levels and no crash or injuries.
Her lawyer entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge, resolving the case at the arraignment.
Spears was given one year informal probationary grant, she also will have to attend and complete a three month alcohol school (30 hours).
Ventura County District Attorney, Erik Nasarenko, spoke to press after the arraignment and said that if Spears is stopped by a peace officer she will have to submit to a test for the presence of alcohol or drugs, her vehicle can be searched for alcohol and drugs, and she cannot drive “with any intoxicant in her body.”
“One of the key components of the disposition this morning was to make sure that Ms. Spears continued to undergo her mental health and substance abuse regimen. We are wholly in support of her doing so. This will include at least twice a month visits with her psychiatrist and once a week visits and sessions with a psychologist.”
“Bottom line, whether you are a famous singer or a school teacher we want the same thing for each and every first-time misdemeanor offender in Ventura County,” Nasarenko added.
Prosecutors with the DA’s Office had filed one misdemeanor count of “driving under the influence of any alcohol and drug” against Spears on Thursday, April 30, according to court documents obtained by Page Six.
As previously reported, Spears voluntarily checked herself into a treatment facility on April 12 for substance abuse.
The Grammy winner’s decision to get help with substance abuse was her own choice, a source told Page Six at the time.
“This was her own choice,” we were told. “This isn’t about one substance in particular, it has a dual purpose….this is about Britney putting her mental health first and taking some time for herself to focus on the things that are important to her.”
She was seen for the first time since leaving rehab on Thursday, April 30, just days before the hearing.
She appeared unbothered as she rode in the passenger seat of a black Mercedes Benz G-Wagon with her feet up on the dashboard, in photos obtained by Page Six.
She wore sunglasses and had her blond hair down, as she was driven around Westlake Village and Calabasas.
A source close to Spears told Page Six that the singer is “doing really well” after getting out of rehab Wednesday night.
The “Crossroads” actress was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI in Ventura County around 9:28 p.m. local time, and released the following morning.
According to a 911 dispatch audio obtained by Page Six, Spears was allegedly seen driving her black BMW “in and out of lanes” and “speeding.”
She was reportedly taken to the hospital to have her blood drawn to determine her blood alcohol content.
The hitmaker was then booked around 3 a.m. and released three hours later, per the Ventura County Sheriff’s inmate record.
When reached for comment, her rep, Cade Hudson, told us, “This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable. 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.”
Referencing her sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, he added, “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.”
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