Sutherland Checks in to Jail
Kiefer Sutherland was sentenced Wednesday to 48 days in jail for racking up a second drunken-driving arrest in three years and immediately reported to a city lockup.
The star of the Fox TV drama “24” was being processed at the Glendale city jail, said Officer John Balian.
Sutherland, 40, who pleaded no contest in October to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08, appeared in court with his attorney and politely answered the judge’s questions, said Assistant City Attorney Dan Jeffries.
His request to serve his time at the Glendale city jail was granted and he was ordered to complete the sentence by March 30, Jeffries said.
“Kiefer made the decision to surrender to custody immediately,” his attorney, Bleir Berk told The Associated Press.
He could have waited as late as Feb. 12.
According to TMZ.com, Sutherland will serve the entire 48 days consecutively rather than split the time to accommodate the shooting schedule for “24,” which is now on hiatus due to the writers’ strike.
The actor was already on probation for a 2004 drunken-driving arrest when he was stopped by police as he left a Hollywood industry party at the trendy Area nightclub on Sept. 25. Authorities said he failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over for making an illegal U-turn.
Sutherland had also pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge in 2004. He was sentenced in that case to five years’ probation, 50 hours of community service and ordered to attend an alcohol treatment program. Authorities said he fulfilled the community service and alcohol treatment obligations.
He was also convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving in 1993, according to the city attorney’s office.
“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,” Sutherland said in a statement issued after he entered his plea in the latest case.
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