Marfa Police DepartmentIf 80 percent of success is just showing up, then the Quaids were battling rough odds from the get-go.
Neither Randy nor Evi Quaid deigned to appear at a hearing in Santa Barbara court this morning to answer to their bizarre inn-defrauding charges, thereby setting into motion the fun couple's extradition from Texas.
In fairness, the Quaids' appearance at today's arraignment was strictly voluntary. However, it was also made clear ahead of time that if they were no-shows, formal extradition proceedings would begin.
"It was on calendar today to see if they wanted to voluntarily appear," Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office spokesman Lee Carter told E! News. "They didn't show up. The warrant in California remains outstanding; the District Attorney's Office will start preparing the extradition paperwork."
Eh, who has time to travel when there are sheriff's departments to harass?
Still, the dynamic duo isn't wholly unprepared for their legal battle, and even hired themselves a new attorney, who requested (without explanation) that the arraignment be pushed back to next Monday and again provide for the Quaids' voluntary appearance.
Judging by its response, the ever-accommodating D.A. apparently didn't learn its lesson the first time.
"We are going to start the extradition paperwork, but it will take two or three weeks to complete it at least, so if they want to voluntarily appear next Monday, that is fine," Carter said.
Surprisingly, the duo hasn't completely stonewalled their case's progress; they've already made good on the outstanding $10,000 bill for their trouble-causing stay at the San Ysidro Ranch. However, while the money has finally changed hands, the Quaids still need to enter pleas—or otherwise reach some sort of plea deal—on three felony charges of burglary, defrauding an innkeeper and conspiracy.
As for why they still have unfinished legal business despite their already posting bail in Texas?
Carter breaks it down:
"When the complaint was filed, a California warrant for their arrest was issued. The California warrant then goes into the national system. Texas recognized our warrant and filed their own case, what we would call a felony fugitive case, so they can arrest them on another state's warrant. Then if the other state chooses to extradite them, we'll turn them over to the other state. But when [the Quaids] were arrested, they posted bail and got out of custody on the felony fugitive case, but the California warrant is still outstanding."
All clear, then?
On Oct. 26—or whenever it is the Quaids finally make their way to court—the duo will "be subject to criminal arraignment, and they will either be able to bail bond out if they want to post a bail, or they can be released on their own recognizance if the judge deems that appropriate," Carter said.
We won't hold our breath on that second option.