AceShowbiz -

Amber Heard announced on Monday, December 7 that she's "looking forward" to fighting charges of illegally smuggling her two pet Yorkshire terriers into Australia. A five-day trial is set to be heard in Gold Coast, Queensland next year.

"There has been no necessity for me to attend court to date despite my willingness to do so. Whilst I am unable to comment on the specific matters before the court I would like to say that I respect the importance of Australia's laws," Amber, who is yet to appear in court, said in a statement.

"My decision to defend these charges, as will become apparent in the appropriate forum of the court, is not intended to in any way diminish the importance of Australia's laws," Johnny Depp's wife continued, "I look forward to attending the hearing of these matters."

Amber's lawyers indicated that Johnny might also appear during the trial but he didn't "wish his presence to be disruptive of this court."

The 29-year-old actress instructed her lawyers to enter not guilty pleas after the case was adjourned for the fourth time. She also requested to have the matter go to trial before mid-February. The court will determine a date for the case during a December 15 hearing.

Amber was charged in July with two counts of smuggling their dogs into Australia and one count of producing a false document. She could face up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines if convicted.