Johnny Depp's wife, Amber Heard, pleaded guilty to allegations that she falsified immigration documents when she brought the couple's dogs to Australia. The couple appeared before the Southport Magistrates on Monday.
Magistrate Bernadette Callaghan placed the actress on a $1,000 bond for good behavior, Courier Mail reported. That means she must remain of good behavioral standing for a period of one month, otherwise she risks paying the $1,000 fine. The bond is applicable only to offences committed within Australia's jurisdiction.
The maximum penalty for falsification of documents is punishable by a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine not exceeding $7,650 (10,000 AUD).
No conviction was recorded for Heard, and the prosecutors dropped two other serious charges on illegal importation. According to The Daily Mail, it was alleged that the 29-year-old actress illegally imported her Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, into Australia last year, when Depp was filming the fifth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. If found guilty of illegal importation, Heard would be facing up to 10 years in prison.
Jeremy Kirk, Heard's lawyer, argued that his client did not intend to on her incoming passenger card when she failed to declare the dogs she brought with her to Australia. The Guardian reported that Heard "positively believed" that Depp's personal assistants had complied with the necessary requirements to clear the dogs for entry.
Kirk stated there was no attempt to hide the dogs from authorities since they were transported in a "mesh carry bag" and in "plain sight" to custom officers at Brisbane airport.
Both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard had publicly apologized for the incident. In a video message, Heard said she is "truly sorry that Pistol and Boo were not declared." Depp closes the message with a friendly reminder telling people to declare everything when they travel to Australia.
