October 10, 2007 - This past Tuesday, Kiefer Sutherland pleaded no contest to his recent charges of driving while intoxicated. Sutherland made a plea agreement under which he will serve a total of 48 days. So will this affect production on Sutherland's hit series 24?

As it turns out, a notable part of this sentencing is that the brunt of it will not begin until the start of Sutherland's jail stint on July 1st, meaning it will not occur until after the seventh season of 24 has completed production. However, Sutherland will first have to spend a separate 18 days in the custody of the L.A. County Sheriff, but that begins on December 21st, meaning it will occur during 24's holiday break. In addition, Sutherland must complete 18 months of alcohol education and attend six weeks of alcohol therapy sessions and his license is suspended from November 9th until May 9th.

As part of his plea agreement the actor must serve all 48 days, with no early release. Sutherland, who previously was convicted in 1993 for alcohol related reckless driving, likely could have had a shorter sentence if he'd served his days consecutively, but that would have almost certainly impacted the production of 24, leading him to make this specific deal.

The 20th Century FOX TV studio, who produce 24, and the FOX network released a statement in which they said "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."

Sutherland released his own statement, saying "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."