If the charges were only against your wife, the you should not have to worry about paying for her crimes.  Criminal statutes do not require a husband to pay for his wife's crimes. Therefore, you should not have your wages garnished. However, you should know that the state/govt may try to locate your wife's funds.  If you and your wife have a joint account, the state/govt could levy on those accounts (i.e. take money).  Therefore, it is important that your paycheck is not directly deposited into a joint account.