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The self-sacrificing star was seen in New York enjoying a walk on "the outside," as he's not allowed to drive until May of 2008. Kiefer is required to turn himself in on December 21 to begin his 48 days behind bars.

TMZ has obtained the sentencing recommendations in the Kiefer Sutherland DUI case.

The sentence is complicated, but Kiefer will do 48 days in custody.

Kiefer will do 18 days for the probation violation, surrendering December 21. He will serve an additional 30 days for the current DUI and must complete that sentence by July 1.

Based on what TMZ knows about production schedules, that would mean Kiefer is serving the bulk of his sentence when "24" is on Christmas holiday and not in production -- he may have agreed to the speedy disposition of the case in order to protect the show from having to shut down production.

Kiefer's lawyer, Blair Berk, would not comment on the case.

UPDATE: A rep for Twentieth Century Fox and the FOX Broadcasting Group issued this statement: "Today our friend Kiefer Sutherland resolved his criminal case at the earliest opportunity. 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. 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. We wish him well and look forward to a long relationship with him."

Kiefer Sutherland has just copped a plea in his DUI case.

Sutherland did not appear, however -- his high-powered lawyer, Blair Berk, showed up in downtown L.A. and entered a no contest plea to one count of DUI -- driving with a .08 or higher.

This is Kiefer's second DUI conviction. Back in 2004, he pled no contest to driving with a .22 blood alcohol level and was sentenced to five years probation. Today's plea means Kiefer violated probation and could be sentenced to a year-and-a-half in the slammer.

Get this -- the judge who was supposed to hear the case was Michael Sauer, the same judge who nailed Paris Hilton. Sauer was on vacation today and the ever-wise Berk was able to get the case transferred to Judge Stuart Rice.

Judge Rice will sentence Kiefer on December 21. Kiefer's probation is revoked pending the future hearing.

The lawyers in the Kiefer Sutherland DUI case are in chambers right now, explaining to the judge that they have reached a plea deal. Sutherland is not present.

The deal means Kiefer, who has a prior DUI, must get a minimum sentence of four days. Since he violated probation in the first case with the second DUI, he faces a max of a year-and-a-half in jail.

UPDATE: Kiefer has pled no contest to. Click here for more info.

TMZ has learned Kiefer Sutherland will plead no contest to DUI, and it's happening in a matter of minutes.

Sutherland was arrested on September 25th in L.A. and charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI. Cops say Kiefer blew more than a .16, more than twice the legal limit.

Back in 2004, Sutherland plead no contest to DUI where he was driving with a .22 blood alcohol level. He was placed on five years probation. Today's plea deal means Sutherland is essentially admitting to a probation violation -- a violation that could land him in jail for up to a year and a half.

Interestingly, the judge in the 2004 case is Michael Sauer, famous for throwing the book at Paris Hilton. Sauer is on vacation today. Sutherland's mega-lawyer, Blair Berk, will go into another courtroom and a different judge will take the plea.

Kiefer Sutherland got himself in a big heap o' trouble this past week with a DUI -- and this isn't the "24" star's first legal gaffe. He's been in trouble with the law three other times. What should Sagittarian Sutherland -- born December 21, 1966 -- do to stay on the straight and narrow?

Says astrosexologist Kiki T., author of "The Celestial Sexpot's Handbook," Kiefer is just the latest in a long line of Sagittarian disasters. Kiefer, along with fellow Sags Britney Spears and Anna Nicole Smith, shows that even though it's supposed to be a lucky year for Sagittarians, "luck needs to be earned for some Sags," says Kiki.

"This means confronting demons is part of the deal, which is necessary as Sagittarius is typically an optimistic sign that never sees anything wrong, as long as they are having fun," she continues.

TMZ has learned that the Los Angeles County City Attorney's office has charged Kiefer Sutherland with two misdemeanor counts of DUI.

The actor has been charged with one count of driving under the influence and one count with driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or above after being arrested early Tuesday morning.

The City Attorney's office also asked that Sutherland's 2004 probation be revoked.

He will be arraigned on these charges on October 16 in front of Judge Michael Sauer, ironically that's the same judge who threw the book at Paris Hilton. Sauer sinks Bauer?? We'll see!

If convicted on both charges, Sutherland could face up to a total of a year and a half in jail and be forced to pay a $1000 fine.

Kiefer attended the FOX Fall Eco-Casino party at Area in Hollywood on Monday night, just before his fateful drive home. He signed for plenty of fans, but didn't seem to interact with them in any way.

The "24" star was pulled over around 1:35 AM PST Tuesday morning in Hollywood, booked at 4:09 AM and released at 5:42 AM on $25,000 bail.

Kiefer's attorney, Blair Berk, will once again be helping the celebuspawn actor out of hot water. Nice to see Sutherland with a driver. That's a good idea.

"24" star Kiefer Sutherland's DUI arrest last night isn't his first brush with the law. Or his second. Or even his third.

Kiefer plead guilty in 1989 and 1993 to reckless driving charges, and in 2004 to driving with a blood alcohol level above .08 -- the legal limit in California. It's the 2004 case for which Sutherland is currently on probation.

It was quite the bust, with Kiefer blowing a .22 blood alcohol level, nearly three times the legal limit. So how is it that TMZ didn't find the case until today? Two words -- Blair Berk.

Mega-lawyer Berk, who has repped Mel Gibson and scores of other celebs, strateger-ily chose to slide into court on November 2, 2004. Kiefer plead no contest and was sentenced to 5 years probation.

Kiefer Sutherland is in deep you-know-what.

In November, 2004, Kiefer was popped for driving with a .22 blood alcohol level, and plead no contest to drunk driving. He was placed on 5 years probation. That means if he's convicted on this morning's DUI, he will have violated his probation.

Now here's where the news gets worse: Guess who the judge was in the 2004 case? That would be Judge Michael Sauer, the guy who threw the book at Paris Hilton for violating her probation. And remember, Paris was not drunk when she was driving on a suspended license -- and she was sentenced to 45 days in jail!

Stay tuned.

Jack Bauer isn't untouchable after all.

TMZ has learned that "24" star Kiefer Sutherland was busted on suspicion of DUI in West Hollywood last night, after allegedly blowing more than twice the legal limit of .08. This is the actor's second DUI in the past five years -- he was arrested in 2004. By California law, if he's convicted, he must serve a mandatory minimum of five days in jail.

Police sources tell TMZ 40-year-old Sutherland was pulled over around 1:35 AM PST on the corner of La Cienega and Beverly. Sutherland was at the FOX Fall Eco-Casino party at Area nightclub earlier that evening. The photo in this story was taken at the event.

Kiefer, whose full name is Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland, was seen leaving Cafe Stella in L.A. last night -- when a TMZ camera asked him about the new action figure. His smooth response: "I don't know what you're talking about." After some prompting from the cameraman, K.W.F.D.G.R.S. remembered the mini-Bauer and was able to give TMZ the inside scoop: "It's an action figure." Glad he cleared that up!

Despite a major rewrite that's delayed the start of production, FOX's well decorated "24" will return for a 7th season. Jack power!

McFarlane did warn customers on the box with: "CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts". The nerve!

A TMZ insider was attending a bachelor party in Bucharest, Romania. When a mysterious figure came out of the shadows to offer a helping hand, er, light.

Our source had a killer craving for a cancer stick and asked his friends if someone had a light. From the darkness crawled Kiefer Sutherland, dressed in ash black, saying, "Did someone ask for a light?" Kiefer then exhaled, "It is good to hear familiar voices." Random!