The case of Ethan Couch, the so-called "affluenza teen," sparked outrage among the general public. In 2013, then 16-year-old couch was speeding and drivingwith a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit when he crashed into a disabled vehicle, killing four people and injuring nine others, permanentlydisabling one of them.
The teen pleaded guilty to four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury. Couch was facingtwo to 20 years in prison for each manslaughter count, but his attorneys asked for leniency, saying the teen suffered from "affluenza." Because hewas wealthy and entitled, and because his parents never set appropriate limits for him, they argued, the teen did not understand that his actions couldhave such serious consequences.
While most people scoffed at the affluenza defense--too spoiled to have to face consequences?--the judge apparently bought it. Couch was sentenced to 10years of probation.
Not surprisingly, when a person who has never had to face consequences before continues to avoid them, he or she may tend to feel like the rules do notapply to them. When video surfaced of Couch violating probation by playing beer pong, he and his mother changed their appearance, threw themselvesa farewell party, and fled to Mexico.
Both Couch and his mother were soon apprehended. Tonya Couch is under house arrest, facing two to 10 years in prison for hindering the apprehension ofa fugitive.
The consequences are currently lighter for Ethan Couch. He finally appeared before a judge in adult court for the first time. Because he can only faceconsequences based upon the initial sentence he violated, he was looking at only 120 to 180 days in jail for each manslaughter count. A judge orderedhim to 180 days in jail for each count, and ordered them to run consecutively--which would land Ethan Couch in jail for two years.
However, the judge has said that "nothing I do is set in stone,"and he may reconsider his order when Couch's attorneys present arguments related to sentencing in the next two weeks.
The judge has not yet stated what penalties Couch could face if he violates probation again, but if he sets prison as a condition of future violations,the now 19-year-old could face up to 40 years for each manslaughter count.
The "affluenza" case takes place in Texas. To find out about Oklahoma laws regarding manslaughter or murder charges related to DUI, visit our Traffic and DUI Defensepage.
