Britney Spears has been charged with drink and drug driving in California, nearly two months after her arrest for allegedly driving under the influence.
The 44-year-old pop star has been charged with one count of misdemeanour DUI by prosecutors in Ventura County, following an incident on 5 March in which she was stopped by police after reportedly driving “erratically”.
According to authorities, Spears showed signs of impairment at the scene and took part in a series of field sobriety tests before being arrested.
Police said the singer was alone in her black BMW 430i at the time and was subsequently taken to Ventura County Main Jail, located north-west of Los Angeles. The charge relates to driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.
The case is due to be heard in Ventura County Superior Court on Monday, 4 May, though it remains unclear whether Spears will appear in person.
As the charge is a misdemeanour, she is not legally required to attend, and her lawyer may appear on her behalf.
The development comes just weeks after Spears voluntarily entered rehab, with her representatives at the time describing the incident as an “unfortunate” but significant moment.
“The unfortunate incident is completely inexcusable,” a spokesperson said following her arrest, adding that it should represent “the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life.”
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They also indicated that her family would play a role in supporting her recovery.
“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 wellbeing.”
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the case may ultimately be resolved without a full trial. Officials have indicated that if Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving — a lesser charge — she would likely receive 12 months’ probation, be required to complete a DUI education programme, and pay standard fines and fees.
This outcome is considered possible due to several mitigating factors, including the absence of any crash or injuries, Spears having no prior DUI convictions, and what authorities described as a relatively low blood alcohol level at the time of her arrest.
The charge marks another challenging chapter for Spears, whose personal life has remained under intense public scrutiny in recent years.
In 2021, she was released from a 13-year conservatorship that had controlled many aspects of her personal and professional life, including her finances and career decisions. The legal arrangement had been the subject of global attention and the #FreeBritney movement, which saw fans campaign for her autonomy.
Professionally, Spears has continued to make a gradual return to music. In 2022, she released a collaboration with Elton John, marking her first major release in several years. She followed this with another track in 2023, teaming up with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas on “Mind Your Business”. Earlier this year, she also sold part of the rights to her back catalogue to music publisher Primary Wave, in a deal reportedly worth a substantial — though undisclosed — sum.
The latest legal issue, however, shifts focus back onto her personal wellbeing and the pressures she continues to face outside of her career. While the potential legal consequences appear relatively minor, the situation has raised fresh concern among fans about her health and stability following years of public struggles.
