Britney Spears, aged 44, faced charges in California on Thursday for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, as confirmed by authorities. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office disclosed that the pop star was charged with a single misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and at least one drug. There was no immediate response to inquiries made to a representative of Spears by The Associated Press.
The criminal complaint did not specify the type or quantity of alcohol or drugs that Spears allegedly used. Following her arrest on March 4 for driving her black BMW recklessly on U.S. 101 near her residence, Spears, who is now undergoing treatment for substance abuse, was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol after exhibiting signs of impairment during field sobriety tests. She was later released on bail, and the investigation was concluded on March 23, with the findings presented to prosecutors.
An arraignment for Spears is scheduled for Monday, but as it is a misdemeanor charge, her physical presence in court is not mandatory, according to prosecutors. The artist, known for hits like “Toxic” and “Gimme More,” rose to fame in the 1990s and early 2000s, achieving multiple platinum and diamond-certified albums. Over the years, Spears has endured public scrutiny and mental health challenges, eventually being placed under a conservatorship in 2008 that was managed by her father until its termination in 2021. Post-conservatorship, Spears has experienced personal milestones, including marriage, divorce, and the publication of a successful memoir, “The Woman in Me,” while remaining relatively inactive in the music industry since 2016.
