Kerik, who was hailed as a hero alongside former Mayor Rudy Giuliani after the Sept. 11 terror attacks and nearly became chief of the US Department of Homeland Security, admitted in November that he lied to the White House, filed false taxes and committed other crimes.

Federal Judge Stephen Robinson told him that a prison term was "a mortal lock."

Sentencing was scheduled for Thursday morning in federal court in White Plains.

The prosecution and defense have agreed that federal guidelines indicate Kerik's sentence should be between 27 and 33 months in prison.

Kerik, 54, also could be fined, and he has already been ordered to pay $188,000 in restitution and to pay past-due taxes and penalties on six years of tax returns.

The judge warned Kerik he's not bound by the prison time agreement. He noted the maximum sentence is 61 years.

On the other hand, the judge also told Kerik he would take into account his public service and other accomplishments.

"You've had a very full life," the judge told Kerik. "There is much good in that full life, I believe."