Britney Spears charged with driving under influence

Pop star Britney Spears has been charged in California with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, authorities confirmed on Thursday (April 30).

The 44-year-old singer faces a misdemeanor count of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and at least one drug, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The complaint does not specify the substances involved or their quantity. Efforts to reach her representative for comment were unsuccessful.

Spears was arrested on March 4 after being stopped by the California Highway Patrol for driving erratically on US 101 near her home. Officers reported signs of impairment, after which she underwent field sobriety tests before being taken into custody. She was released on bail the following day.

Authorities completed their investigation later in March before filing the charge. Following the incident, a representative described her actions as “inexcusable” and suggested it could mark the beginning of necessary changes in her life.

Spears later entered a substance abuse treatment facility voluntarily. Her arraignment is scheduled for Monday, though she is not required to appear in court due to the misdemeanor nature of the charge.

A defining figure in global pop during the late 1990s and early 2000s, Spears rose to fame with hits such as “Toxic”, “Gimme More”, and “I’m a Slave 4 U”. Much of her discography has achieved platinum certification, with albums “…Baby One More Time” and “Oops! … I Did It Again” reaching diamond status.

Her personal life has frequently drawn public attention. In 2008, she was placed under a court-ordered conservatorship, which remained in effect for over a decade before being dissolved in 2021. In recent years, Spears has largely stepped away from music, releasing only occasional collaborative singles since her last studio album in 2016.