Rome, 4 May (LaPresse) – Britney Spears has avoided a prison sentence for drink-driving in California by pleading guilty to a lesser charge through her lawyer. The singer had been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs following her arrest on 4 March in Ventura County, where she lives. She did not appear in court on Monday, but her lawyer, Michael A. Goldstein, accepted on her behalf what is commonly known as a plea bargain for what is termed ‘wet reckless’, a less serious offence than DUI, which is applied for drink-driving with a much higher blood alcohol level. This means she will be sentenced to one year’s probation, attend a drink-driving course and pay a fine. The plea deal is standard for first-time offenders with a low blood alcohol level. Spears had been arrested after driving erratically. Last month, she checked into a treatment centre.