Britney Spears pleads guilty to lesser DUI charge in California

Britney Spears has pleaded guilty through her lawyer to a lesser charge in a Southern California DUI case, allowing her to avoid jail time. The case stems from her March 4 arrest in Ventura County after California Highway Patrol officers said she was driving erratically on U.S. 101. Under the agreement, Spears received summary probation, a DUI class, fines, and other court conditions. Prosecutors said the plea was consistent with a firsttime case involving no crash or injury and noted that she had already taken steps toward treatment. The district attorney said Spears accepted responsibility and stressed that she must continue substance abuse treatment, along with regular therapy and psychiatric visits. Spears did not appear in court, and her lawyer said she wanted to resolve the matter and move forward.