A look at Kiefer Sutherland’s decades of legal woes following arrest after alleged skirmish with rideshare driver

A look at Kiefer Sutherland’s decades of legal woes following arrest after alleged skirmish with rideshare driver

Kiefer Sutherland was arrested early morning in the latest incident of a string of legal woes for the star that has spanned decades.

The 59-year-old actor was taken into custody early Monday in Los Angeles after a conflict with a rideshare driver in Hollywood around Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, the Daily Mail confirmed on Tuesday. 

The two-time Emmy winner is suspected of assaulting the driver and getting into the vehicle without consent, which led to his arrest in connection with suspicion of felony criminal threats, police said.

Kiefer, whose TV credits include 24 and Designated Survivor, subsequently bailed out at $50,000 bond, and has a court date slated for February 2.

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Sutherland for further comment on the story. 

The latest arrest marks yet another footnote in a long line of police blotter the actor – whose filmography includes classics such as A Few Good Men, The Lost Boys and Stand by Me – has created over the past four decades. 

Now following his most recent arrest, Daily Mail is taking a look at actor Kiefer Sutherland’s longtime legal woes. 

Following his most recent arrest, Daily Mail is taking a look at actor Kiefer Sutherland's longtime legal woes. Pictured in London in November

Following his most recent arrest, Daily Mail is taking a look at actor Kiefer Sutherland’s longtime legal woes. Pictured in London in November 

Sutherland in January of 2008 was released from jail following a 48-day sentence in connection with a drunken driving conviction.

At the time he was released from jail, Los Angeles police Officer John Balian told People that the actor ‘looked like he was glad to be out’ of custody following nearly two months in.

The police officer said that Sutherland’s work detail during his time in custody at the jail involved laundering sheets, pillowcases and blankets.

Sutherland was a model prisoner during his time at the facility, Balian said.

‘He was very humble, never complained,’ the officer said. ‘He didn’t give us any problems at all.’

Sutherland had to serve the sentence after he entered a no contest plea in October 2007 to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit in the September 2007 incident, and received a 30-day sentence.

The court added an additional 18 days to the sentence after Sutherland violated probation he had been on linked to a 2004 arrest in connection with drunken driving.

Sutherland was clear he was contrite about his missteps in a statement he released following the agreement of the plea deal.

Sutherland pictured at the Glendale City Jail December 5, 2007 in Glendale, California, as he began a 48-day sentence in a drunken driving conviction

Sutherland pictured at the Glendale City Jail December 5, 2007 in Glendale, California, as he began a 48-day sentence in a drunken driving conviction 

Kiefer is the son of late acting legend Donald Sutherland, who died during the summer of 2024

Kiefer is the son of late acting legend Donald Sutherland, who died during the summer of 2024

Kiefer in 2006 won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the role of Jack Bauer in Fox's 24

Kiefer in 2006 won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the role of Jack Bauer in Fox’s 24

Sutherland said he was ‘very disappointed’ in himself for the ‘poor judgment’ he exhibited in the incident.

‘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,’ Sutherland said. 

He added: ‘I appreciate the support and concern that has been extended to me these last weeks both personally and professionally.’

Sutherland had served his sentence at the Glendale City Jail as opposed to downtown Los Angeles, conceding that he would serve the entire sentence as result of the trade-off.

As part of his plea deal, Sutherland remained on probation for five years, enrolled in an 18-month alcohol education program, and had to go to therapy session sessions once a week for six months.

Kiefer, the son of late acting legend Donald Sutherland, has an arrest record that dates back decades to the 1980s.

The England-born, Canada-raised actor was taken into custody in 1989 in connection with alcohol-related reckless driving and possession of a loaded weapon in Los Angeles, according to The Los Angeles Times, citing court records.

Sutherland subsequently pleaded no contest to the alcohol-related reckless driving, with prosecutors dropping the weapons charge on him.

Kiefer played the role of 1950s bully Ace Merrill in Stand By Me from late director Rob Reiner

Kiefer played the role of 1950s bully Ace Merrill in Stand By Me from late director Rob Reiner 

He portrayed vicious vampire David in the ensemble cast of 1987's The Lost Boys with Jami Gertzf

He portrayed vicious vampire David in the ensemble cast of 1987’s The Lost Boys with Jami Gertzf

Sutherland was again arrested in connection with alcohol-related reckless driving in 1993, and would enter a no contest plea.

He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service in connection with the offense.

Sutherland appeared to stay out of trouble for the better part of a decade to an arrest in 2004 in connection with driving under the influence.

He agreed to enroll in a court-overseen treatment program and agreed to five years of probation – which would come into play in his 2007 arrest.

The actor spoke about his incarceration while appearing on Late Night With David Letterman in 2008.

‘You ever get a brochure for a holiday and you get there and it’s not quite what you’re expecting?’ he said. ‘Jail is not that. It’s exactly as advertised.’

Previous Article

Emily Blunt wows in plunging bodysuit alongside Chase Infiniti and Leonardo DiCaprio at 2026 National Board of Review Gala

Next Article

Timothee Chalamet blasted by Chelsea Handler for bragging about himself: 'Leo wouldn't do that'

Write a Comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *