Britney Spears Gets 12-Month DUI Probation

 pleaded guilty at her arraignment at Ventura County Superior Court on Monday, two months after she was arrested for DUI.

The 44-year-old pop star -following - did not appear in court, but entered a guilty plea via her lawyer, Michael A Goldstein. 

Spears was sentenced to 12 months probation, a day in jail, which she's already served, and ordered to enroll in a three-month alcohol and drugs education program after accepting a plea deal in DUI cases known as a 'wet reckless.' 

The plea bargain allows the driver to plead guilty to reckless driving involving  and/or drugs - a lesser charge that carries a much lighter sentence. 

The deal is reserved for defendants with no prior history of DUI, with a low blood alcohol level, when there is no injury or crash, and when the subject shows 'self-motivation to address underlying issues through rehabilitation or a drug and alcohol program.' 

Ventura County Superior Court Commissioner Matthew Nemerson also fined Spears $571 and ordered her to see a psychologist once a week and a psychiatrist twice a month.

He also told the troubled singer not to use alcohol or drugs, except prescription medications - and warned police could search her vehicle again without a warrant if she is pulled over again. 

In March, Spears was stopped by cops responding to reports that she was allegedly driving her black BMW erratically and at high speed on the 101 freeway.

She later voluntarily entered a substance abuse rehab facility which she reportedly checked out of just last Wednesday.

After the brief hearing, her lawyer gave a statement outside court: 'Miss Spears is doing well. She came home (from rehab) in anticipation of this hearing.'

In a press conference following the arraignment, Nasarenko warned that driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, 'recklessly and erratically is an extremely serious crime…with possible catastrophic consequences.

'If she is stopped again by police officers she will have to submit to being search for alcohol and drugs. And her vehicle can be searched.'

Citing the three month DUI program in which Spears will have to complete 30 hours of education, plus the regular visits to shrinks ordered by the court, Nasarenko added: 'We do not want Miss Spears to re-offend. That's why rehabilitation is so important.'

On Thursday, the Daily Mail obtained documents revealing Spears  as Ventura County prosecutors charged her with one count of misdemeanor DUI. 

As it is a misdemeanor charge, she was not required to attend the hearing and her attorney appeared on her behalf. 

At the time of arrest, the Daily Mail revealed the pop star was taken into custody by  Highway Patrol at around 9.30pm on Wednesday night, March 4, in Ventura County .

The singer, who was , was released the following morning, according to Ventura County Sheriff records.

Representatives for Spears released a statement in response to the arrest to the Daily Mail in March which read: '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.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko speaks following the arraignment