Scoop: Britney escapes prison with mistrial

Published October 21, 2008 4:00am ET



People’s opinions of Britney Spears are definitely polarized — and the 12 citizens who heard her legal case are no exception. After beginning deliberations Friday, a California jury couldn’t agree on a verdict, and the case ended in mistrial Tuesday.

The pop star was on trial for driving without a valid California license last year. Though the charge was a misdemeanor, she faced up to six months in jail along with a $1,000 fine. (We’re guessing she was more worried about the former.) The “Womanizer” singer did not appear in court, but her father, Jamie, took the stand as a defense witness. Brit’s lawyers argued that the Louisiana native considers her home state her primary residence, so she didn’t need a California license.

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