Britney Spears avoids jail time by pleading guilty to reckless driving
Britney Spears pleaded guilty through her lawyer to a lesser charge that will allow her to avoid jail time after California prosecutors accused her of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Published on 05/05/2026 - 9:10 GMT+2
Celebrated American pop star Britney Spears has avoided jail time in her DUI (Driving Under the Influence) case after pleading guilty to a lesser misdemeanour charge of reckless driving.
As we reported in March, the singer was arrested in Ventura County, California, after police pulled her over on suspicion of driving under the influence. This followed reports of erratic driving.
At a hearing yesterday, the case was resolved through a plea deal. The 44-year-old pop star pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanour charge of reckless driving, known in California as a “wet reckless”, which applies to cases involving alcohol or drugs but is less serious than a DUI.
She has been sentenced to one year of probation, a drink driving class and a fine.
A representative for the singer said last month that Spears had voluntarily checked into a rehabilitation facility after the arrest.
Spears did not attend the hearing Ventura County Superior Court and entered the plea via her lawyers.
After the hearing, Spears’ 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, and we expect that she’ll continue to do so.”
Spears has not toured in nearly eight years and has not put out an album since ‘Glory’ in 2016.
In 2021, she regained control of her life decisions and finances when a court-ordered conservatorship was dissolved after nearly 14 years. The legal guardianship saw her finances and personal life controlled by her father.
Two years later, she released a bestselling memoir, “The Woman in Me”, and in February 2026, Spears sold the rights to her entire music catalog to Primary Wave.
Spears remains one of the best-selling female artists, with more than 150 million records sold worldwide.
