Britney Spears faces misdemeanor DUI charge in Ventura County case

Britney Spears now faces the first formal charge stemming from her March 4 arrest in Ventura County, after prosecutors filed a misdemeanor complaint alleging she drove under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. The case moves a widely watched celebrity arrest into the county court system, where the next step is a scheduled appearance in Ventura County Superior Court on May 4 at 9 a.m.

California Highway Patrol officers stopped Spears after a black BMW 430i was reported for erratic, high-speed driving on U.S. 101 near Newbury Park. Spears was the sole occupant of the car, showed signs of impairment and performed field sobriety tests at the scene. She was booked into Ventura County Jail around 3:03 a.m. and released about 6:07 a.m. after being cited and released.

The misdemeanor criminal complaint, filed April 30, alleges a violation of California Vehicle Code 23152(g). Chemical test results were still pending when the filing was made, and the investigation remained ongoing. Because the case is a misdemeanor, her attorney may appear on her behalf at arraignment. Prosecutors are also expected to offer a wet reckless plea deal, a reduced reckless-driving-with-alcohol-or-drugs charge that is commonly used in Ventura County in some DUI cases.

Spears’ representatives described the incident as “unfortunate” and “inexcusable,” saying she would take the right steps and comply with the law. The filing gives the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office its first formal charging decision in the case, and the court date will determine whether the matter proceeds as charged or moves toward a negotiated resolution.

Court records also show Spears had a prior traffic-related case in Ventura County on September 10, 2023. That infraction involved no valid license in possession and failure to provide proof of financial responsibility. The record listed bail forfeiture and a case balance of $0.00, adding another layer of scrutiny to a case now centered on public safety, driving conduct and the legal consequences that follow an impaired-driving arrest.