Britney Spears Arrested for DUI in California

Global pop icon Britney Spears is facing legal challenges after being arrested on March 5, 2026, in Ventura, California, on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). The 44-year-old singer was released later that night, according to reports.

Details of the Arrest

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrested Spears around 8:48 p.m. On Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village according to the Ventura County Star. The arrest followed a report of erratic driving at a high speed.

Officers reported that Spears’ black BMW 430i was being driven “erratically at a high rate of speed” on US-101 as reported by the BBC. After pulling her over, officers observed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests. Authorities suspect she was driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol as detailed by CBC News.

Spears was booked at a detention center shortly after 3 a.m. On Thursday and released around 6 a.m., according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office .

The CHP stated that the investigation is ongoing, and the results of chemical tests are pending .

Reactions and Statements

A representative for Spears described the incident as “unfortunate and completely inexcusable” . The representative stated that Spears intends to “take the necessary measures and respect the law” and expressed hope that this marks “the first step towards long-awaited change.” They also indicated that her sons and loved ones would perform on a support plan for her well-being.

Sam Asghari, Spears’ ex-husband, called for respecting her privacy in a statement to Fox News. He said, “When it comes to people making mistakes, I understand that. I think everyone deserves respect for their privacy. And I hope the press has learned from the past and will give them the privacy they demand.”

Upcoming Court Date

Spears is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on May 4 .

Background

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari began their relationship in 2016 and married in June 2022. Their divorce was finalized in May 2024 .