Marathon, FL Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

The first question would be whether your wife had notice of the hearing.  If it can be shown that she did not, the warrant would be recalled and the bond could be reinstated. If she did have notice, then her course of action would to a large extent be dependant upon her overall view of the case.  If she believes that the State (the prosecution) would be able to overcome her presumption of innocence and prove the charge, then she, through her attorney, could attempt to negotiate an overall agreement in which the warrant would be recalled and the case would be settled.  As part of that she could enter a "plea in absentia," within which she would have signed a plea agreement and an acknowledgement that she is waiving her trial rights.  A part of that agreement could also be that the bond forfeiture be set aside so that the bond could be returned to you, minus any Court costs. Her other option would be to fight the charge, a process which would begin with either her surrender on the warrant or her being arrested on it, or with the warrant being recalled by agreement.   It would not be wise to plead guilty or no contest and to accept consequences, which may be permanent in nature, without a proper analysis of the State's case.  She would be entitled to do that through the "discovery" process, during which she would receive police reports, witness statements and other materials in the possession or control of the State, and also, upon a showing of "good cause," through the taking of depositions.