Britney Spears has been officially charged with drunk driving.
Ventura County prosecutors on Thursday charged Spears with misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
In a press release obtained by Page Six, Spears’ arraignment will take place on May 4th. However, since this is a misdemeanor, she does not have to attend.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office noted that prosecutors typically sentence defendants with no prior DUI history, low blood alcohol levels, and no crashes or injuries as “reckless.” The law allows defendants to plead guilty to reckless driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Under the proposal, defendants would be placed on 12 months’ probation, given credit for time served, required to complete a DUI course, and pay state-mandated fines and fees.
Spears, 44, was arrested on March 4 after authorities saw her weaving in and out of lanes. An unknown substance was also allegedly found in her car during her arrest, and she is believed to have been under the influence of a cocktail of alcohol and drugs.
On April 12, Spears entered rehab for substance abuse.
According to sources, the singer’s arrest came as a wake-up call.
“This was her own choice,” we were told. “This isn’t about one substance in particular, it’s two-fold. This is about Britney putting her mental health first and taking time to focus on what’s important to her.”
“She is diligent about taking care of her health,” the source added. “This is something she really wants to do on her own. This was her own decision.”
Our sources say Spears’ entire family supported the decision. The pop star shared photos and videos of her spending time with her two sons, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, after her arrest last month.
“Everyone wants Britney to be healthy and in good shape, and the fact that this was her decision is a testament to how dedicated she is to her recovery and getting back on track,” the source said.
Richard Tate, founder of Carrara Treatment, where celebrities go for addiction treatment, exclusively told Page Six that it’s important that the “Toxic” singer doesn’t check out of a treatment facility “without structure.”
“A strong post-treatment plan means a controlled environment that supports continuity of care, accountability, and early recovery,” Taite said. “If the work isn’t taken seriously, even great treatment doesn’t mean anything.”
Tite also pointed out that entering a rehab facility is just the “beginning” of a person’s recovery journey.
“Continuing to support them after they leave really makes a difference.”
