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Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving

Monday, 4 May 2026 18:10

By Bethany Minelle, arts and entertainment reporter

Britney Spears has pleaded guilty to reckless driving involving alcohol and drugs.

She did not attend the hearing Ventura County Superior Court on Monday and entered the plea via her lawyers.

The decision is expected to allow her to avoid jail time.

The 44-year-old pop star had been charged with a single misdemeanour count of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug on Thursday.

A representative for the singer said in April that Spears had voluntarily checked into a rehabilitation facility ⁠after the arrest.

On 4 March, Spears was arrested after she was pulled over for driving her black BMW fast and erratically near her home, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.

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At the time, the CHP said the singer was arrested and taken to a Ventura County jail after taking a series of field sobriety tests during which she seemed to be impaired.

In a statement issued to Sky News' US partner NBC, a representative for Spears described the incident as "completely inexcusable".

After the hearing her lawyer, Michael A. Goldstein, told reporters: "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.

"We appreciate the district attorney recognizing the positive steps that Britney is taking to help herself."

Her summary probation is informal and means she won't be required to make regular meetings with a probation officer.

District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said after the hearing that Spears had taken "full responsibility" .

Sky News has contacted Spears's representatives for comment.

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(c) Sky News 2026: Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving

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