Lindsay Lohan -- Legal Showdown Over Jail Time

There are now 2 agencies prosecuting Lindsay Lohan at the same time, and sources connected with the cases tell TMZ they are DIVIDED over whether Lindsay should be sent to the pokey.

Chief Deputy Santa Monica City Attorney Terry White is prosecuting Lindsay for allegedly lying to cops last June after her car crash on Pacific Coast Highway. Lindsay -- who's been charged with 3 crimes in connection with the accident -- could face 19 months in jail if convicted on all counts. But sources connected with the case tell us ... White would be satisfied with COMMUNITY SERVICE because the crimes aren't that big a deal.

But here's the rub. The L.A. City Attorney wants to throw the book at Lindsay for allegedly violating her probation in the jewelry heist case. She could get 245 days in the slammer for the probation violation. Sources connected with the case tell TMZ ... L.A. prosecutors will ask Commissioner Jane Godfrey to sentence Lindsay to AT LEAST 200 days behind bars.