Lindsay Lohan could go to jail for more than a year for allegedly stealing that necklace ... and it could happen without a jury, without a trial .... without grand theft charges even being pursued.

After doing some investigating, we discovered the D.A. could drop the felony grand theft case completely. But that wouldn't end Lindsay's legal woes -- not by a long shot.

Prosecutor Danette Meyers could go back to court and ask the judge to violate Lindsay's DUI probation ... on grounds she stole the necklace.

The judge in the probation case could then hold a hearing -- without a jury -- to determine if Lindsay did indeed pilfer the jewelry.

Now here's the big problem for Lindsay. In a criminal case, the D.A. must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt -- in other words, convincing a jury that there's a 98 to 99% chance that she did the deed.

But in a probation violation case, all the judge has to decide is that it's more likely than not that she stole the jewelry -- in other words, that there's a 50.1% chance she did it.

Sources connected with the D.A.'s office tell us ... prosecutors believe they could ask for more than 1 year in jail if the judge decides Lindsay violated her probation.

And one final piece of bad news. It's very possible if the D.A. dismissed the grand theft case, the probation violation matter would go back to Judge Elden Fox in Beverly Hills, who has totally lost patience with Lindsay.

Credit: TMZ

The push to violate Lindsay Lohan's probation will continue -- the Riverside County DA wants further investigation into LiLo's alleged violent incident at Betty Ford ... TMZ has learned.

District Attorney Elect Paul Zellerbach met with his lead investigator and prosecutor this morning to talk about Lindsay's altercation with Betty Ford Center employee Dawn Holland -- who, by the way, doesn't want Linds prosecuted.

Upshot of the summit -- whatever the Palm Desert Police turned over wasn't enough. The DA's office says it needs more info to decide whether to charge Lindsay.

Palm Desert PD has been pushing to get Lindsay's probation violated over the BFC incident.

Credit: TMZ

The Riverside County District Attorney believes Lindsay Lohan violated her probation in the altercation with a staffer at the Betty Ford Center ... and if the Beverly Hills judge handling her case agrees ... Lindsay could go to jail.

As TMZ reported, Dawn Holland, a staffer at Betty Ford, claims Lindsay assaulted and injured her last month after allegedly violating her curfew.

Holland -- who has since been fired by Betty Ford -- notified authorities by a letter obtained by TMZ that she had no interest in pursuing a criminal case. But the Riverside PD now says the case will be submitted to the District Attorney anyway because police believe Lindsay committed a battery and therefore violated her probation.

One of the terms of probation is that Lindsay must obey all laws.

The Riverside PD is forwarding its file on the case to the L.A. County Probation Office.

Credit: TMZ