Laguna Beach : Warrant for Arrest of Hardman Is Recalled

A bench warrant for the arrest of Cedrick Hardman, the suspended Laguna Beach High School football coach, was recalled Tuesday after his attorney appeared on his behalf at a hearing on a charge of resisting arrest in South Orange County Municipal Court, Judge Richard D. Hamilton said.

The arrest warrant had been ordered Monday by South Orange County Municipal Judge Blair Barnett when neither Hardman, a former all-pro National Football League lineman, nor his attorney, Ronald P. Kreber, appeared for a scheduled pretrial hearing. Kreber did appear Tuesday before Hamilton, who continued the hearing until Jan. 7, a court clerk said.

Kreber said he missed Monday’s hearing because he was representing another client in a murder trial.

The Hardman case “is in the same status it was before,” Hamilton said Tuesday. “He’s not a fugitive from justice.”

Hardman was arrested by Laguna Beach police Sept. 20 on Laguna Canyon Road after his car was stopped for speeding and, police said, they spotted “a white powdery substance” in his briefcase as he fumbled for his driver’s license. The substance was later found to be cocaine, police said. Police also said Hardman resisted arrest.

Hardman was charged with resisting arrest and the more serious offense of felony drug possession. The drug charge will be dropped, however, if Hardman completes a drug diversion program that he and the court agreed to on Oct. 24.