Kiefer's Surrender -- It Ain't That Easy

There may be a hitch in Kiefer Sutherland's surrender on charges of assault for that whole head-butting incident in New York the other night.

The plan was that Kiefer would turn himself in today and get what amounts to a ticket to appear for an arraignment at a later date.

But now there is some question as to whether a non-resident can just walk in and walk out with a ticket ... it's possible he could be arrested and taken into custody and arraigned right away.

Stay tuned ...