Lindsay Lohan to Face House Arrest Instead of Jail?

Lindsay Lohan pleaded no contest today to a misdemeanor grand theft charge for allegedly stealing a $2,500 necklace from a Venice jewelry store. Instead of jail, the embattled star is expected to serve her time in home detention.

The 24-year-old star was not present in court for the Wednesday hearing; the plea was entered on her behalf by her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley.

Lohan was placed on three years probation and ordered to complete the 120 days in jail and 480 hours of community service she had already been sentenced to (at the Downtown Women's Center as well as janitorial duties at the L.A. County coroner's department) for violating her probation in a 2007 DUI case.

Probation officers will reportedly recommend to the judge that Lohan does her time either in county jail or at home on electronic monitoring at her own expense.

Explaining today's events, Holley tells ET, "Lindsay has pled no contest to one misdemeanor charge, and we have withdrawn our appeal for the sentencing on her misdemeanor probation violation. Lindsay's sentence for the misdemeanor charge and the probation violation are the same and will run concurrently to one another. Lindsay will perform 480 hours of community service and serve 120 days of jail. In addition, she will seek psychological counseling and attend a Shoplifters Alternative class. As they would with any other defendant with a similar sentence and minimal criminal history, the Sheriff's Department and Probation Department will determine if Lindsay is eligible for electronic monitoring and early release. She is neither requesting nor receiving 'special treatment.' Lindsay and I would both like to thank Judge Sautner and the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office for their fair handling of this case."

Lindsay also tells ET, "I am glad to be able to put this past me and move on with my life and my career. I support the judge's decision and hold myself accountable for being in this situation. I have already started my community service at the Downtown Women's Center and thank everyone there for their warm welcome. I hope to be able to fulfill my obligation without any press attention. I think the media spotlight should be on issues such as homelessness and domestic violence instead of on me."