Heidi Jones (PICTURES): Could WABC Weather Anchor Face Jail Time for Alleged Rape Lie?

NEW YORK (CBS) Heidi Jones, the weather anchor for New York's WABC-TV who allegedly lied about being raped, could face a maximum of a year in prison for filing a false police report.

PICTURES: Heidi Jones Arrested

But according to CBS News Legal Analyst Jack Ford, it's very unlikely.

"It's a misdemeanor carrying a maximum of a year plus some fines," Ford told "The Early Show." "By all accounts, she's a good and decent person...I would think if I'm her lawyer I would argue - and I think a judge would be sympathetic - problems here, probation, let her deal with whatever the problems are, no need to jail a person like this. I wouldn't anticipate it."

Jones, who also serves as fill-in talent on Good Morning America, claimed she was sexually assaulted on Sept. 24, the New York Post reported.

According to the paper, she did not report the rape until two months after the alleged incident occurred.

WABC said Wednesday that Jones has been suspended pending an internal investigation.

The newspaper cites sources who say police noticed inconsistencies in her story.

Police say the 37-year-old later admitted she fabricated the story. She was given a desk-appearance ticket for misdemeanor charges of filing a false report, reports CBS station WCBS.

If convicted of the Class A misdemeanor of filing a false report, Jones could face up to a year in jail or a $1000 fine.