Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving in DUI case

VENTURA, California — Pop star Britney Spears settled a case of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol by pleading guilty on Monday to a lesser charge of reckless driving.

Spears' lawyers entered the plea on her behalf during a hearing in Ventura County Superior Court, north of Los Angeles. The 44-year-old singer was not required to attend the proceeding because it was a misdemeanor case, and she was not present.

She was originally charged with a single count of driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after California Highway Patrol officers arrested her in March.

Police tracked down Spears and her vehicle in response to a report of a motorist who was seen driving erratically in a black BMW at high speed in Ventura County. She was taken into custody when officers observed her exhibiting signs of impairment, the Highway Patrol said at the time. — Reuters