If the Los Angeles County District Attorney chooses to file a case against the 24-year-old actress – who completed 14 days of a 90-day jail sentence in July 2010 after breaking the terms of probation for her 2007 conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) – she could reportedly spend up to three years in prison.

According to gossip website TMZ, the troubled star will be facing grand theft charges today (07.02.11) after allegedly stealing the high-end necklace from California-based jewellery store Kamofie & Company.

However, legal expert Susan F. Filan believes Lindsay could also be in violation of the terms of her DUI probation.
She told HollywoodLife.com: "She is automatically in violation of her probation if she gets arrested. She would face up to six months in state prison or county jail."

The 'Mean Girls’ star will now need to defend herself on two fronts, and could be forced to admit to courts she was arrested for the alleged theft but asking them to hold off on the probation violation charge in case she is found not guilty of the new felony.

Susan added: "If I was her judge, I wouldn't buy it."

Lindsay was released from a three-month court-ordered rehab stay in early January - her fifth visit to a treatment facility - and is currently on probation until her next court hearing on February 24.