Britney Spears took a plea deal in her DUI case on Monday, May 4
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Spears' lawyer, Michael A. Goldstein, appeared on the pop star's behalf at a Ventura County courthouse
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Her lawyer issued a statement after the arraignment
Britney Spears' lawyer is speaking out after she took a plea deal in her DUI case.
Spears' lawyer, Michael A. Goldstein, appeared on the 44-year-old pop star's behalf at a Ventura County courthouse on Monday, May 4 for her arraignment after she was arrested in March on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Goldstein agreed on Spears' behalf to plead guilty to what's known as a "wet reckless." She was sentenced to 12 months probation and one day of jail, credited as time served, by Ventura County Commissioner Matthew Nemerson. She was fined $571.00 and must see a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month. Her vehicle is authorized to be searched for drugs and alcohol.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Goldstein says, "Through her plea today, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct. She has taken significant steps to implement positive change which is clearly reflected in the Ventura County District Attorney’s decision to reduce the charge in this case and dismiss the DUI."
He continued, "Britney appreciates this discretion and is also grateful for the outpouring of support she has received."
Last week,Spears left a treatment facilityafter voluntarily entering following the arrest. She's since been photographed riding as a passenger in a car multiple times.
Spearswas officially charged with a misdemeanor, prosecutors in the Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, April 30.
PEOPLE previously reported Spears was likely to avoid jail time in her case if she were to plead guilty to a lesser charge through a standard protocol known as a "wet reckless," which lets a defendant plead guilty to reckless driving involving alcohol and/or drugs and undergo 12 months of probation while earning credit for any time spent in custody.
In that scenario, the defendant is required to complete a DUI class and also pay state-mandated fines and fees.
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Spears was eligible for the deal due to her lack of a prior DUI history as well as the facts that there was no crash or injury in her arrest, and she had a low blood alcohol level.
Such resolutions are common, according to officers, especially when the defendant “demonstrates self-motivation to address underlying issues through rehabilitation or a drug and alcohol treatment program.”
Following Spears' arrest, a rep for the Grammy winner told PEOPLE she would take “the right steps and comply with the law.”
“Hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life,” the rep said. “Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time. Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well being.”
At the time, a source told PEOPLE that Spears' sons —Sean Preston, 20, andJayden James, 19, shared with ex-husbandKevin Federline— were animportant factor in her choosingto seek help.
"Her sons were a big part of getting her to rehab. They've been clear with her. They just want her to be healthy," the source said.
Asecond sourceadded, "She understands the seriousness of her situation and felt [seeking treatment] was the best step moving forward."
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Read the original article onPeople
