Richard (Dad) decided to take a felony plea for his part in their hoax to create interest in the family for a reality tv show.  Mayumi, instead pled guilty to a misdemeanor, avoiding a felony conviction that might have lead to her deportation to Japan. 

Lucky for her, she had a criminal defense attorney who took into consideration the immigration consequences of the plea. 

Richard and Mayumi Heene Plead Guilty.