1:38 PM PT -- A lawyer for Emmylou Harris has just entered a "not guilty" plea on Emmylou's behalf.


Country singer Emmylou Harris has been charged with hit-and-run ... after allegedly crashing her rental into another car on the 405 freeway back in October and fleeing the scene -- TMZ has learned.

The L.A. County District Attorney filed the misdemeanor charge against Emmylou today. 

TMZ broke the story ... CHP launched an investigation into Emmylou after the other driver filed a report, claiming the 65-year-old Grammy winner slammed into the person's car on October 1st around 10pm ... and took off.

Emmylou's rep called the fender bender a "garden-variety accident that happens every day on the 405," claiming Emmylou only left the scene because she didn't realize she struck another car.

If convicted on the hit-and-run charge, Emmylou faces up to 6 months in jail.

Emmylou Harris is now in the crosshairs of the L.A. County District Attorney for allegedly hitting a car on an L.A. Freeway and then hightailing it out of there ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the alleged incident occurred on October 1 at around 10:00 PM.  They say Emmylou was driving a rental car on the 405 Freeway when she struck a car and took off without stopping or exchanging info.

We're told the CHP opened a hit and run investigation after the other driver filed a report.  The investigation is now complete and we're told the file was sent to the D.A., who will decide if the country legend should be prosecuted.

Emmylou's rep acknowledges to TMZ she was involved in a "minor traffic accident," adding "she unintentionally rubbed bumpers with another vehicle." The rep says Emmylou didn't realize the cars made contact so she took off.

The rep calls it a "garden-variety accident that happens everyday on the 405," and Emmylou has turned the matter over to her insurance company.

FYI -- It's a crime to leave the scene of an accident that causes injury or property damage without stopping and exchanging info.