According to a newly released arrest report and video, Britney Spears, 44, exhibited "nonsensical" behavior and "drastic mood swings" when she was arrested for driving under the influence in March. The singer was pulled over in Ventura County, California, on March 4th and offered officers a meal at her home. Despite insisting that she had only consumed one mimosa six hours earlier, she claimed to be at a "zero" level of intoxication, stating, "I could probably drink four bottles of wine and take care of you. I’m an angel."
The report revealed that Spears took two breathalyzer tests, blowing .05 and .06, both below the legal limit of .08% BAC in California. However, a drug recognition evaluation determined that the star was "under the influence of a CNS stimulant," a medication often used to treat depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, controlling actions, and narcolepsy.
During the arrest, Spears's speech was at times marked by a British accent, and her mood "shifted from confrontational and agitated to flamboyant and compliant." She even offered to make the officers food or lasagna, saying, "You can come to my house—I’ll make you whatever you want. I have a pool."
Later, her demeanor towards the officers changed, and she cried in the back of the patrol car after being handcuffed, accusing them of being "mean to me" and "lying," per the New York Times.
Spears voluntarily sought treatment in April and took a plea deal in the case earlier this month. A bottle of unprescribed Adderall was found in her purse during the arrest, and she told officers that she takes 200 mg of Lamictal, an anti-epileptic medication used to treat epileptic seizures and delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar disorder. She explained that she takes the drug for epilepsy and "mood swings," and Adderall to stay "elevated."
In her 2023 memoir "The Woman in Me," Spears previously revealed that Adderall was her "drug of choice" during her partying days in the early 2000s. She wrote that it "made me high, yes, but what I found far more appealing was that it gave me a few hours of feeling less depressed."
The star has publicly dealt with a number of mental health struggles over the years, notably spending 13 years in a conservatorship following a 2008 mental health crisis. On May 4th, Spears pleaded guilty to a wet reckless and was sentenced to 12 months of summary probation and one day in jail, credited as time served. She was also fined $571 and must attend a three-month DUI program with 30 hours of class time. Her vehicle is authorized to be searched for drugs and alcohol. Additionally, Spears agreed to see a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month.
At the time of her plea, officials noted that Spears would likely be offered the wet reckless due to her lack of prior DUI history, the absence of a crash or injury during her arrest, and her low blood alcohol level. Goldstein stated in a press release following the arraignment that through her plea, Britney has accepted responsibility for her conduct and taken significant steps towards positive change. "Britney appreciates this discretion and is also grateful for the outpouring of support she has received," he added.
