LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kiefer Sutherland, star of the hit television thriller "24," pleaded no contest to drunken driving on Tuesday in a deal with prosecutors that would land him in jail for 48 days.

Sutherland, 40, whose plea in Los Angeles Superior Court was entered on his behalf by his lawyer, was arrested last month while still on probation for a 2004 drunken driving offense.

In the latest case, he was charged with two misdemeanor counts -- driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit -- that each carried a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $500 fine. He also faced up to six additional months behind bars for violating his probation.

Under the agreement with the City Attorney's Office, Sutherland pleaded no contest -- the equivalent of guilty -- to a single count of driving with blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Prosecutors have recommended that he serve 30 days for that charge plus 18 days for violating his probation in the 2004 case. But the final sentence is up to a judge to decide.

Sutherland was ordered to appear December 21 for sentencing. He was not in court at the time his plea was entered, according to Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney.

The Canadian performer, the son of screen star Donald Sutherland, is best known for his role as the terrorist-fighting secret agent Jack Bauer on the Fox network hit "24," which earned him an Emmy Award as best actor last year.
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