Kiefer Sutherland was arrested in Los Angeles for the violent crime but has since been released on bail.
Kiefer Sutherland was arrested in Los Angeles on Monday, January 12, 2026. The reason: a violent crime. The series actor is said to have physically and verbally attacked a taxi driver. What had happened?
The course of events and the consequences
As NBC News reports, police released the following statement: “The investigation revealed that the suspect, later identified as Kiefer Sutherland, entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver and made criminal threats against him.” The driver himself reportedly did not suffer any serious injuries and did not require medical treatment.
Following the crime – around 12:05 a.m. local time – the 59-year-old actor was arrested around four in the morning. He was released a few hours later on $50,000 bail.
On February 2, 2026, he will have to stand trial for unspecified serious crimes. The exact background to the attack is not yet known. The “24” actor himself has not yet made a statement.
There had already been police proceedings before
The mime has had several problems with the police in the past. In 2007, he was arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles and was jailed for 48 days. He had already been arrested for the same offense in 2004. Kiefer Sutherland also faced an assault charge in New York in 2009 when he allegedly headbutted a fashion designer. However, an agreement was reached here without arrest.
What sentence could Kiefer Sutherland face?
In the case of the Emmy Award winner, it remains to be seen how serious his crime will be classified. California criminal law makes a clear distinction between minor and serious bodily harm. Under California Penal Code Section 240, the penalty for minor assault is up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. In the case of serious bodily harm, the penalty under Section 242 can be significantly higher, with one to ten years in prison. However, since the actor already has a criminal record, the sentence could be harsher.
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