Britney Spears Charged with DUI Weeks After Entering Rehab

Pop superstar Britney Spears has been accused of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and narcotics, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's office in California. This development comes just weeks after the 44-year-old singer voluntarily checked into a rehabilitation facility. A hearing is scheduled for May 4, though her physical presence may not be required.

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Pop star Britney Spears was accused on Thursday of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and narcotics, the Ventura County District Attorney's office in the U.S. state of California announced.

Prosecutors indicate that a guilty plea for reckless driving could result in a one-year suspended sentence, mandatory attendance in a DUI education program, and fines. This lenient potential outcome is attributed to Spears' lack of prior DUI offenses, the absence of any accidents or injuries during her arrest, and a low blood alcohol level.

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If she pleads guilty to reckless driving, she will receive a one-year suspended sentence, during which she will have to attend an educational program on driving under the influence and pay prescribed fines and costs.

The "Toxic" hitmaker was arrested on March 5 in California after exhibiting erratic driving. Police reported that Spears showed signs of impaired driving and consented to field sobriety tests. Spears recently sold a portion of her music catalog rights to Primary Wave for an undisclosed sum, capping a career that includes six UK number-one singles and eight top-10 albums, with collaborations alongside artists like Madonna, Rihanna, and the Backstreet Boys.

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Spears showed signs of reduced driving ability and agreed to a series of tests after being stopped.