Britney Spears Arrested for DUI in California

The pop star was allegedly alone at home before the incident, telling police she had just one mimosa earlier in the day.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 7:29pm

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Britney Spears, the 44-year-old pop star, was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) by the California Highway Patrol in Ventura County on Wednesday night. According to a source close to Spears, she was alone at her home in Thousand Oaks, California, in the hours leading up to the incident and told police she had just one mimosa earlier in the day. Spears was booked at 3:02 a.m. on Thursday and later released at 6:07 a.m. She is scheduled to appear in court on May 4.

Why it matters

Spears' DUI arrest comes just over a year after the end of her highly publicized conservatorship, which had controlled many aspects of her life for nearly 14 years. The incident raises concerns about Spears' ongoing mental health and well-being, as well as the challenges she may be facing in adjusting to life after the conservatorship.

The details

According to the source, Spears told police she had "just one single mimosa in the afternoon" and "didn't think she was under the influence of anything." However, 911 dispatch audio obtained by Page Six indicates that Spears' black BMW convertible was seen "swerving in and out of lanes" and "speeding" prior to the arrest. Spears was reportedly taken to a hospital to have her blood drawn to determine her blood alcohol content, which the source claims was 0.06% - below the legal limit of 0.08% in California, though individuals can still be charged for DUI if they are seen driving erratically.

  • On Wednesday night around 9:28 p.m., Spears was arrested for DUI by the California Highway Patrol in Ventura County.
  • Spears was booked at 3:02 a.m. on Thursday and later released at 6:07 a.m.
  • Spears is scheduled to appear in court on May 4.

The players

Britney Spears

A 44-year-old pop star who was recently released from a highly publicized conservatorship that controlled many aspects of her life for nearly 14 years.

Cade Hudson

Spears' manager, who released a statement calling the incident "an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable" and saying Spears will "take the right steps and comply with the law" in order to get the "help and support she needs during this difficult time."

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What they’re saying

“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable. Britney is going to take the right steps and comply with the law and hopefully this can be the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life. Hopefully, she can get the help and support she needs during this difficult time.”

— Cade Hudson, Spears' manager (Page Six)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on May 4 whether to allow Spears to receive treatment instead of jail time.

The takeaway

Spears' DUI arrest highlights the ongoing challenges she faces in her personal life and mental health journey, even after the end of her conservatorship. This incident underscores the importance of Spears receiving the proper support and resources to address her well-being and avoid further legal troubles.