Oh Kiefer. As you may have heard, Kiefer Sutherland (who is no stranger to run-ins with the police) got himself into a bit of a scuffle earlier this week after the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala took place in NYC. Essentially, it is being alleged that Kiefer headbutted a fashion designer named Jack McCollough after he reportedly bumped into Brooke Shields. As a result of the infraction on McCollough‘s part, Kiefer allegedly headbutted McCoullough in the face causing injury to the poor guy. The NYPD requested that Sutherland turn himself in and with lawyer in tow (and with much fanfare), he did just that in order to be arrested and charged with assault yesterday afternoon:

Kiefer Sutherland was charged Thursday with misdemeanor assault for allegedly headbutting a fashion designer at a New York party. Wearing a black overcoat and carrying an umbrella, the 24 star, 42, turned himself in at about 4 p.m. at the First Precinct, where he was arrested on the third-degree assault charge.

After he was photographed and fingerprinted, Sutherland walked out of the precinct at about 6 p.m. accompanied by his Los Angeles lawyer, Blair Berk. He didn’t answer reporters’ questions but waved to the crowd of photographers before getting into a black town car and driving off. Sutherland is expected within a month to appear before a judge in Manhattan Criminal Court to answer to the misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of as much as $1,000 and up to a year in jail. Sutherland allegedly headbutted designer Jack McCollough during a scuffle early Tuesday morning. Sutherland allegedly got physical with McCollough after the designer bumped into fellow party guest Brooke Shields. Los Angeles authorities said they intend to investigate whether Sutherland violated probation for his second DUI conviction in 2007 for which he served seven weeks in jail. If so, he could face additional jail time.

UGH. This is such a crappy scenario. Kiefer, who has had problems with drinking before, could be in big trubs if he is convicted of this assault … especially if it is determined that he violated the terms of his probation. Jack McCollough prolly didn’t expect to have a run-in with Jack Bauer on Monday night … and for his troubles he ended up with an almost busted nose:

It may not look like much now but I know it doesn’t feel good to have one’s nose split open by someone else’s head. I love me some Kiefer but if things really did go down in the way it sounds like it did, I think he needs to be punished for his actions. See folks … you don’t want to eff with Jack Bauer. Even fashion designers can’t be safe.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]