Jason Kidd -- Pleads GUILTY in Drunk Driving Case

Former NBA star Jason Kidd just pled guilty to drunk driving in New York ... but the Brooklyn Nets coach won't spend a single day behind bars.

As we previously reported, Kidd was arrested on July 15, 2012 ... after crashing his Cadillac SUV into a telephone poll around 2am. Cops say he reeked of booze.

In the hours leading up to the crash, Kidd was partying at a club and appeared so drunk, he had to be carried out of the place.

This morning, Kidd pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor DWI (driving while intoxicated) ... and was placed on interim probation. Kidd was also ordered to speak to high school students in Long Island about the dangers of driving drunk.

FYI -- "interim probation" is a voluntary version of regular probation. Bottom line -- if Kidd violates his probation, the judge can still throw his ass in jail.