Pop star Britney Spears settled a case of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol by pleading guilty on Monday to a lesser charge of reckless driving.
Spears' lawyers entered the plea on her behalf during a May 4 hearing in Ventura County Superior Court, north of Los Angeles. The 44-year-old singer was not required to attend the proceeding because it was a misdemeanor case.
Spears was placed on 12 months of summary probation, must pay fines and fees and is required to complete a three-month first offender DUI program that spans 30 hours, the Ventura County District Attorney said in a news release. Under the terms of her probation, she must continue substance abuse and mental health treatment, undergo chemical testing for alcohol and drugs while driving, refrain from operating a vehicle "with any intoxicant in her system" and agree to be searched for "alcohol and/or drugs in her vehicle."
"Ms. Spears took responsibility for this misdemeanor offense, entering a guilty plea at the earliest stage and two months from the day she was arrested," District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said in a statement. "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." Nasarenko added that county prosecutors' goal "is not only to hold individuals accountable, but to support long-term behavioral change through treatment and rehabilitation."
