San Diego DUI criminal defense lawyer news

Ford Motor Company of Canada is being urged by MADD Canada to replace Kiefer Sutherland as the voice behind their advertisements now that the actor is in jail for a California DUI drunk driving conviction.

Sutherland, the star of "24," is serving a 48-day sentence in a California prison after pleading no-contest in October to California DUI driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08.

The Canadian actor was pulled over after leaving a Hollywood party on Sept. 25.

Sutherland was already on probation following a California DUI drunken-driving arrest in 2004. In 1993, Sutherland was convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving.

Andrew Murie, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, said Ford should view the California DUI conviction as a wake-up call.

"Obviously as a company they're against drunk driving, so why are they continuing to have somebody speak on behalf of their products that now has been convicted... of impaired driving?" Ford purportedly eeds to use people that uphold society's standards.

"Literally, there's thousands of people out there that meet the moral standards of our society today that would love to have that kind of endorsement contract and they should be honoured for their ethical behaviour," he said.

Murie said Sutherland, as a celebrity, could have easily afforded to have a personal driver or limousine take him home.

Ford Canada spokesperson Gina Gellert said the company is monitoring the situation but that Sutherland's voice will continue to be used.

Under the terms of his plea, the Emmy winning actor will have to serve all 48 days in jail. He also must serve 60 months probation, pay a $510 fine, enroll in an 18-month California DUI alcohol-education class and attend weekly alcohol-therapy sessions for six months.