'24' star Kiefer Sutherland to serve 48 days in jail for drink-driving

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The 40-year-old's lawyer pleaded no contest and cut a deal for him to serve some of the time during the winter break for his hit TV drama series 24 so that production would not be disrupted.

The new charges came after he was stopped by traffic police in Los Angeles last month.

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Lock down: Actor Kiefer Sutherland is set to serve 48 days in jail following a conviction for drink-driving - but he will do his time during a break in filming the hit series 24

Kiefer, the son of actor Donald Sutherland, was arrested in the early hours of September 25 after he was pulled over for making an illegal U-turn in Hollywood. Police said he then failed a field sobriety test.

Earlier that evening he had been at a party thrown by Fox - the company which makes 24 - where he was photographed on the red carpet and signing autographs for fans. Between leaving the party and being flagged down at 1am, drink was evidently consumed.

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Hardman: Emmy awardwinning actor Kiefer Sutherland in hit series 24

That had been his fourth arrest for drinking under the influence. In 1989, he was arrested for DUI and carrying a concealed and loaded weapon.

In a deal with prosecutors, he pleaded no contest to alcohol-related reckless driving, and the other charges were dropped.

He was arrested again in 1993, and pleaded the same way. He was given the option of serving 12 days in jail or performing 211 hours of community service, and opted for the latter.

Award winner: Kiefer with his veteran actor father Donald Sutherland at the Emmy awards

As part of the current arrangement, Sutherland must also enrol in an 18-month alcohol-education class and attend weekly alcohol-therapy sessions for six months.

"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," Sutherland said in a statement.

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.

He will be on probation for five years and faces fines and a driving suspension, according to court documents. Sutherland won a best actor Emmy last year for his performance as dashing federal counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer on 24.

The actor's plea arrangement ensures that production of 24 will not be interrupted, Fox officials said in a statement.

"Kiefer made clear to us at the time of his arrest that his first concern was the welfare of those he worked with and that he intended to do whatever was necessary to prevent shutting down the show because of his situation," the statement read.

"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," it read.