Britney Spears set to be arraigned on DUI charge but doesn't have to appear in court

VENTURA, Calif. -- VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — Britney Spears is set to be arraigned in a California courtroom Monday morning after prosecutors charged her with driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. But it will probably be only her lawyer who appears in front of a Ventura County judge. Prosecutors charged the 44-year-old pop superstar with one misdemeanor count on Thursday after her March 4 arrest.Since then, she voluntarily checked into a substance abuse treatment center. The misdemeanor charge level means she is not required to appear and her absence won't count against her. She is unlikely to show up, though her representatives haven't commented on the court case or her plans. A representative previously called her actions inexcusable and said it would ideally lead to overdue change in her life. The singer has a home in Ventura County just outside the Los Angeles County line. She was arrested near there. Her arraignment will be held in the city of Ventura, a seaside community of about 110,000 people about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northwest of downtown LA. Prosecutors said the case will be handled according to their standard protocol for defendants with no DUI history, no crash or injury