SUTHERLAND TO SERVE 48 DAYS IN JAIL BUT '24' WILL KEEP TICKING (THR, VAR, LAT, AP)

By Nancy Vialatte

Kiefer Sutherland will serve 48 days in jail stemming from his recent DUI arrest, but it won�t affect production on �24.� After reaching a deal with prosecutors, the sentence will allow Sutherland to serve his time when "24" is not in production - during the Christmas break and after the show wraps its seventh season.

Sutherland pleaded no contest Tuesday to two misdemeanor counts of DUI following his Sept. 26 arrest. He was already on probation from a 2004 DUI conviction.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office on Tuesday recommended a 48-day sentence for the actor to be served in two installments -- 18 days for the probation violation beginning Dec. 21 and 30 days for the DUI charge to be completed by July 1. (THR)

Sutherland said, "I'm very disappointed in myself for the poor judgment I exhibited recently, and I'm deeply sorry for the disappointment and distress this has caused my family, friends and co-workers on '24' and at 20th Century Fox. I appreciate the support and concern that has been extended to me these last weeks both personally and professionally."

Sutherland's plea deal quickly resolves the matter and avoids shutting down production on "24," on which he also serves as an executive producer. Had he gone for a continuous jail time, he likely would have served less time, which is often the case in misdemeanor cases. Instead, he opted for two stints, which means he will serve the entire sentence. (THR)

He is officially scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 21, the same day he is set to render himself to authorities. But, notes the LA Times, Sutherland could be sentenced to as much as a year if the judge who took over the case Tuesday, Stuart M. Rice, rejects the plea deal.

Rice stepped in because the previous judge - Michael T. Sauer, who was also the judge in the recent Paris Hilton case - was on vacation.

While early releases have been granted to others, including celebrities, because of jail crowding and other concerns, Sutherland must serve all of his time, according to the plea agreement. The sheriff also was specifically ordered to not release Sutherland to electronic monitoring. (AP)

Sutherland has also been ordered to complete an 18-month alcohol education program and to attend weekly alcohol therapy sessions for six weeks. He will not be able to drive any vehicle from Nov. 9 to May 9.

Fox and 20th TV said in a statement: "He told us that even if he had to sacrifice more time in custody in order to protect the show and the jobs of those who work with him, he would do so. From what occurred today, it is evident he is a man of his word."

Related Links

Sutherland to jail, but '24' OK (THR)
Kiefer Sutherland to clock jail time (VAR)
Kiefer Sutherland pleads no contest to DUI charge (LAT)
Sutherland to do jail time on DUI charge (AP)