Britney Spears' attorneys entered a "wet reckless" plea on her behalf to settle the case.
Why Britney Spears Was Missing in Court in DUI ‘Wet Reckless’ Charge?
Singer Britney Spears was notably absent from her court appearance in Ventura County as her DUI case moved forward. Instead, her attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, appeared on her behalf and entered a “wet reckless” plea, allowing the case to be resolved with a reduced charge of reckless driving and a lighter probation period.
As a result, Britney Spears will now receive a sentence of one year of probation, a mandatory DUI course, and state-imposed penalties. Since the case was classified as a misdemeanor, she was not required to attend the proceedings in person, which explains her absence from the Ventura County court. Spears’ personal life has often remained in the spotlight and, according to several reports, has at times overshadowed her entertainment career. She was originally charged with one count of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol following her arrest by California Highway Patrol officers in March.
At the Hearing, Spears’ Lawyer Accepted a 'Wet Reckless' Offer
At the Ventura County court, north of Los Angeles, according to CNN, the singer's lawyer agreed to a "wet reckless" plea, which provides a lesser charge linked to reckless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, typically offered in cases with first-time offenders, low blood alcohol content, and no accidents or injuries. Because of the lesser charge, it has eliminated the risk of a lengthy prison sentence for Britney.
Spears' attorneys entered a "wet reckless" plea on her behalf to settle the case.
In March, the singer was arrested after police received a report about a rider driving a black BMW erratically at high speeds in Ventura County. According to the Highway Patrol, Spears was arrested after officers noticed her showing signs of impairment.
A court document stated that the musician was driving under the influence of alcohol and a drug.
The prosecutor in Britney Spears's case said that the person would be treated the same whether they are a famous singer or a school teacher. The Toxic singer's lawyer, Michael A Goldstein, said, “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." He added, "We appreciate the district attorney recognizing the positive steps that Britney is taking to help herself.”
'If Spears re-offends while on probation, she will face another DUI charge'
According to Associated Press, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko addressed the media after the court session and mentioned that if Spears is stopped by a police officer, she will have to test for alcohol or drugs. Moreover, her vehicle would also be searched for such substances, and she is prohibited from driving “with any intoxicant in her body.”
The case stemmed from a roadside incident involving "erratic driving" earlier this year.
The attorney said, "One of the key components of the disposition this morning was to make sure that Ms Spears continued to undergo her mental health and substance abuse regimen. We are wholly in support of her doing so. Bottom line, whether you are a famous singer or a schoolteacher, we want the same thing for each and every first-time misdemeanor offender in Ventura County".
On April 12, Spears willingly admitted herself to a rehabilitation center for addiction issues.