Kim Richards Dodges Jail Bullet

Kim Richards narrowly avoided jail after blowing off her community service and AA meetings in her shoplifting case.

Kim's lawyers were in court Wednesday for a probation violation hearing ... this after she missed the deadline for completing 30 days of community service and 52 AA sessions.

Her lawyers presented proof that Kim belatedly did most of her community service and is now up to date on AA meetings, so the judge cut her a break.

Kim stays on probation and everything must be completed by the next hearing in November.

Kim was convicted of shoplifting for stealing $600 worth of stuff from Target.