Britney Spears faces hit-run charge

Embattled pop star Britney Spears is facing more legal problems as prosecutors in Los Angeles have charged her with hit-and-run causing property damage and driving without a valid licence.

The 25-year-old entertainer was spotted ducking into the office of her new lawyer, Sorrell Trope, teary-eyed and pulling down the front of her fedora hat, on Friday.

"According to the [Department of Motor Vehicles], Ms. Spears was never issued a California licence ever," L.A. Attorney's Officespokesman Frank Mateljan told People.com.

Each charge carries a $1,000 fine and a maximum sentence ofsix months in jail.

Spears was filmed on Aug. 6 by paparazzi steering her car into a parking spot and hitting another vehicle. After assessing the damage to her own car, she was shown on video walking away.

The owner of the other vehicle, Kim Robard-Rifkin, filed a police report three days later and that's when investigators discovered Spears did not have a permit to drive.

"I simply want my car fixed, the same as I would fix somebody's car if I had done that," Robard-Rifkin said at the time.

Spears is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 10.

The charges mark another setback for Spears.

Just days ago, a commissioner ordered her to undergo random drug and alcohol testing twice a week in her child custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline. She must also meet with a parenting coach, who will report back to the court on her parenting skills.

The two have been sharing custody of two-year-old Sean Preston and one-year-old Jayden James.

Her management firm also recently dropped her and her performance at this year's MTV Video Music Awards was lambasted.Critics blasted her for a listless performance,being unable to lip-synch properly and for being out of shape.

Her new album is set for release Nov. 13.