WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Britney Spears pleaded guilty on May 4, 2026, to reckless driving involving alcohol and drugs, stemming from a March 4, 2026, traffic stop in Ventura County. The charge was reduced from an original arrest for driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.

On March 4, 2026, Spears was pulled over for speeding and swerving on U.S. 101 near the Los Angeles County line. According to the California Highway Patrol report, her speech was rapid and slurred, her gait unsteady, and she fidgeted with her fingers. Officers noted her mood shifted from confrontational and agitated to flamboyant and compliant during the stop.

Spears refused to exit her BMW for approximately 10 minutes, telling officers she feared being on the highway and suggesting they go to her house instead. “I’ll make you food or lasagna, whatever you want. I have a pool.” She also told them, “I could probably drink four bottles of wine and take care of you, I’m an angel.”

Spears stated she had consumed only one mimosa several hours earlier and rated her intoxication level as “zero.” Field breath tests showed blood alcohol concentrations of .05% and .06%, below California’s legal limit of .08%. An empty wine glass was found in the front cupholder, and officers discovered a bottle of Adderall in her purse that was not prescribed to her. Spears also disclosed she had taken Lamictal and Prozac before driving.

She voluntarily submitted to a blood draw at Los Robles Medical Center, though the results were not included in the police report. Spears was arrested, booked into Ventura County Jail, and released the next morning. She soon after checked into a rehabilitation facility.

At her May 4 plea hearing, Spears received 12 months of summary probation, one day of jail credited as time served, and was ordered to complete a three-month DUI class and pay state-mandated fines. The judge also required her to continue mental health and substance treatment, barred her from possessing controlled substances without a valid prescription, and mandated vehicle searches if stopped by law enforcement.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said the “wet reckless” plea is standard for defendants with no prior DUI history, no crash or injury, and low blood-alcohol levels. He added, “When somebody, ahead of their plea, voluntarily decides to admit themselves into a rehabilitation facility, that demonstrates to us that they have a sincere interest in getting better.” Michael A. Goldstein, Spears’ attorney, said after the hearing, “I don’t think anybody’s happy about pleading guilty to anything, but under the circumstances, to get this behind her, I think everybody is pleased with the result.”