Kiefer Sutherland is likely to face a total for 48 days jail time after pleading no-contest to last month’s drink-driving charges.

Kiefer was pulled over by police after being witnessed making an illegal U-turn in the early hours of the 25th September. He was found to have twice the legal blood-alcohol level and was charged with a misdemeanor level DUI before being released on $25,000 bail.

The 24 star wasn’t present in court for yesterday’s hearing but his lawyer, Blair Berk, entered the plea on his behalf.

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office has recommended to the judge overseeing the case that Kiefer is sentenced to 30 days in jail for the drink-driving offence and another 18 days for violating probation for an earlier DUI charge.

The 18-day sentence will be confirmed on 21st December, with his jail time starting immediately afterwards so that it will not interrupt 24’s filming schedule. He will then have until 1st July 2008 to complete the remaining 30 days.

In addition to the jail time, Kiefer must enroll in an 18-month alcohol education programme and attend weekly alcohol-therapy sessions for six months, as well as facing five years probation and a driving ban until May 2008.

In a statement issued after yesterday’s court hearing, Kiefer said: “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.”

“I appreciate the support and concern that has been extended to me these last weeks both personally and professionally.”