Lawyer: Spears' rights being violated

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A man who said he is Britney Spears' new attorney alleges the troubled U.S. pop star's civil rights are being violated.

A Los Angeles court granted the singer's father Jamie Spears conservatorship after Britney was admitted to UCLA Medical Center's psychiatric ward last month.

The conservatorship temporarily gives Jamie legal control over his daughter's safety and finances.

However, People.com said lawyer Jon Eardley filed a complaint in U.S. District Court on Britney's behalf last week, arguing the conservatorship violates the 26-year-old performer's civil rights.

"I see the case as a civil rights case," Eardley told People.com. "These are issues of confinement. Very serious confinement. Not allowed to contact her friends. Not allowed to use the phone. Not allowed to come and go as you please. Bodyguards controlling you and so forth. ... She is being confined by the conservator to the private prison of her own home."