Britney Spears DUI Legal Drama Just Hit An Unexpected Pivot

On March 4, the California Highway Patrol arrested Spears on suspicion of D.U.I. after officers observed her driving erratically and at a high rate of speed near Thousand Oaks. Spears was the “solo occupant” of the BMW and “showed signs of impairment and submitted to a series of field sobriety tests.”

Her representative released a statement at the time, calling it an “unfortunate incident” and saying that it was “completely inexcusable.”

“Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney’s life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time,” the statement said. “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 well being.”

The pop star shares two sons, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

In April, Spears, at the urging of family and loved ones, voluntarily checked herself into a treatment center, according to NBC.

Spears was charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run in 2007, though the case was later dismissed. The following year, she was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation and placed under a conservatorship largely overseen by her father. The arrangement lasted 13 years, ending in November 2021 when a judge terminated it after the fan-driven “Free Britney” movement.

“Whether or not Ms. Spears will appear at the hearing will be a decision made between her and her attorney,” the Ventura County District Attorney’s office said in a statement. “Since it is a misdemeanor charge, she is not required to attend, and her attorney can make the appearance for her.”

Spears is set to be arraigned next Monday in Ventura County Superior Court.