"affluenza" teen caught in Mexico, may face little jail time

[chiver78]

ICYMI: Ethan Couch, the TX teen who successfully used a defense dubbed "affluenza" - that he was wealthy enough to have lived a sheltered enough life to not understand the implications of having killed four people while driving drunk - to earn himself a sentence of just probation, recently had a warrant out for his arrest after he skipped a probation check-in. he skipped out after a video surfaced of him playing beer pong at a house party - in clear violation of his probation.

Ethan and his mother were detained in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Apparently they threw a going-away party of sorts before they left - link

but with a wrinkle in TX law, Ethan may not face much time in jail upon returning to TX. link

from the 2nd link -

Couch is 18 years old, and Texas generally releases incarcerated juveniles at the age of 19 — a potential punishment that Wilson said was "not enough for taking four lives." If Couch remains in the juvenile system, he could ultimately spend just a few months in jail. He turns 19 on April 11.

[chiver78]

exactly, dem. my jaw was on the floor as I was reading that 2nd link. I hope they are able to move him to adult court. we all know he'll flake on that probation like he did this one, spoiled brat that he is.

and yes, Mom deserves whatever she gets.

[alabamagal]

I think they will end up putting the kid in jail until he is 19 then on probation if he violated probation he can be re sentenced

I think the kid should serve time for what he did. But when you read about his parents it is no wonder he turned out so bad. It is not just that they were rich, his parents have been charged with over 20 criminal and traffic offenses on their records. And then his mom helps him run away. They should all be thrown in jail.

[Chocolate Lover]

Maybe another kid with "affluenza" will run over him. 

[billisonboard]

Can't we just leave him in Mexico?

[swamp]

He acts just like a lot of the "lifetime criminals" I work with.   The difference is, he's rich.  

[Deleted]

If he killed those people with a gun, the gun control proponents would be all over this as a mass murder with needs for more gun restrictions across the board for all law abiding citizens.  Why is the "person" responsible in this case and not the P/U truck   

[Opti]

Dec 30, 2015 12:38:53 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

If he killed those people with a gun, the gun control proponents would be all over this as a mass murder with needs for more gun restrictions across the board for all law abiding citizens.  Why is the "person" responsible in this case and not the P/U truck   

I've yet to see a gun put in jail, so it still comes down to the person.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2015 12:41:36 GMT -5 Opti said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:38:53 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

If he killed those people with a gun, the gun control proponents would be all over this as a mass murder with needs for more gun restrictions across the board for all law abiding citizens.  Why is the "person" responsible in this case and not the P/U truck   

I've yet to see a gun put in jail, so it still comes down to the person.

You're kind of making my point.   Why haven't I seen even one proposal for additional driving restrictions because of this ? 

[swamp]

Dec 30, 2015 12:47:34 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:41:36 GMT -5 Opti said:

I've yet to see a gun put in jail, so it still comes down to the person.

You're kind of making my point.   Why haven't I seen even one proposal for additional driving restrictions because of this ? 

Actually, the restrictions and consequences for DWI, at least in NY, have increased exponentially the past few years.

[billisonboard]

Dec 30, 2015 12:38:53 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

If he killed those people with a gun, the gun control proponents would be all over this as a mass murder with needs for more gun restrictions across the board for all law abiding citizens.  Why is the "person" responsible in this case and not the P/U truck   

There are calls to make modes of transportation less deadly.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2015 12:50:49 GMT -5 swamp said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:47:34 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

You're kind of making my point.   Why haven't I seen even one proposal for additional driving restrictions because of this ? 

Actually, the restrictions and consequences for DWI, at least in NY, have increased exponentially the past few years.

Is the enforcement matching the increase ?  I can only see more enforcement on impaired driving as a good thing.  What my point was though is that there is not, and should not be, more restrictions on law abiding drivers.

[Opti]

Dec 30, 2015 12:47:34 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:41:36 GMT -5 Opti said:

I've yet to see a gun put in jail, so it still comes down to the person.

You're kind of making my point.   Why haven't I seen even one proposal for additional driving restrictions because of this ? 

Restrictions happen all the time, its just the call for them nationally is not that great. Speed limits are dropped on stretches of road after a bad publicized accident, and there are two other laws I remember in NJ as recent. You are supposed to wait until a pedestrian is fully through the crosswalk before turning onto the street and you are supposed to slow down and move over to another lane if possible, when passing a police officer outside of a police car on the side of the road.

I would support your campaign to not allow drivers unaware of consequences, being able to drive.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2015 12:41:36 GMT -5 Opti said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:38:53 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

If he killed those people with a gun, the gun control proponents would be all over this as a mass murder with needs for more gun restrictions across the board for all law abiding citizens.  Why is the "person" responsible in this case and not the P/U truck   

I've yet to see a gun put in jail, so it still comes down to the person.

But I have seen the push for all inclusive gun restrictions for the actions of a few crazies, or terrorists with an agenda.   Why not for vehicles ?

[Opti]

Dec 30, 2015 13:12:14 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:41:36 GMT -5 Opti said:

I've yet to see a gun put in jail, so it still comes down to the person.

But I have seen the push for all inclusive gun restrictions for the actions of a few crazies, or terrorists with an agenda.   Why not for vehicles ?

They already exist. 55mph speed limits. Registration and insurance requirements, stop signs, traffic laws, etc.

What the heck do you think traffic laws are - restrictions only for crazies or for all drivers? Trying to equate vehicles with guns is a bad argument, IMO. You are aware the push for driverless cars is for safety, right?

Anti-gun control advocacy everywhere all the time banging the drum is just as crazy/worthless as gun control legislation drum bangers after an incident the new law would solve nothing. I wish you all would find other hobbies.

[Robert not Bobby]

defense dubbed "affluenza"
____________________________

AKA "a spoiled rotten brat"? This is almost as absurd as the twinkie defense.

Actions have consequences, or they should.

[swamp]

Dec 30, 2015 12:56:57 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:50:49 GMT -5 swamp said:

Actually, the restrictions and consequences for DWI, at least in NY, have increased exponentially the past few years.

Is the enforcement matching the increase ?  I can only see more enforcement on impaired driving as a good thing.  What my point was though is that there is not, and should not be, more restrictions on law abiding drivers.

Yes, there is more enforcement.

There are some restrictions on law abiding drivers. For example, if I get a DWI and DH and I share a car, there must be an ignition interlock device in it to check to see if the driver has been drinking.

Technically, it is supposed to be on every vehicle in the household that the DWI convict has access to.

[Sam_2.0]

Dec 30, 2015 13:27:54 GMT -5 Robert not Bobby said:

defense dubbed "affluenza"
____________________________

AKA "a spoiled rotten brat"? This is almost as absurd as the twinkie defense.

Actions have consequences, or they should.

Ive heard rumor the judge gave him this as she knew he would violate his probation & then be eligible for jail time as an adult, vs. only eligible for minor sentencing at the actual time. Who knows if that is true or not. She resigned/retired shortly after this case was over.

[Sharon]

Since he has managed to get a delay in his extradition back to the US I wonder how well he is doing in a Mexican jail.   Even if they aren't holding him in jail I can't image the facilities where he is are all that great.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2015 13:21:40 GMT -5 Opti said:

Dec 30, 2015 13:12:14 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

But I have seen the push for all inclusive gun restrictions for the actions of a few crazies, or terrorists with an agenda.   Why not for vehicles ?

They already exist. 55mph speed limits. Registration and insurance requirements, stop signs, traffic laws, etc.

What the heck do you think traffic laws are - restrictions only for crazies or for all drivers? Trying to equate vehicles with guns is a bad argument, IMO. You are aware the push for driverless cars is for safety, right?

Anti-gun control advocacy everywhere all the time banging the drum is just as crazy/worthless as gun control legislation drum bangers after an incident the new law would solve nothing. I wish you all would find other hobbies.

It is not a bad argument, it's a similar argument.  What's needed is more restrictions on motor vehicles to prevent vehicle related deaths.  Horsepower restrictions, No license unless 21 or older, vehicles governed to the speed that any road is restricted to,  expansive background checks upon purchase.  the elimination of "sport" vehicles, the claim is cars are just for transportation right ? I could go on and on.  If just one family with children has their lives saved, it makes all these additions worthwhile.  That is my hobby. Pushing to save the lives of these innocents.  If you don't like it, you're just way too blithely acceptant of the massive deaths and maiming these out of control vehicle crazies cause.  Just yesterday another couple with child in the car were all killed by an impaired driver in a overpowered "sports" truck.  Really no different than the affluenza teen killing those four people.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2015 13:38:35 GMT -5 swamp said:

Dec 30, 2015 12:56:57 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

Is the enforcement matching the increase ?  I can only see more enforcement on impaired driving as a good thing.  What my point was though is that there is not, and should not be, more restrictions on law abiding drivers.

Yes, there is more enforcement.

There are some restrictions on law abiding drivers. For example, if I get a DWI and DH and I share a car, there must be an ignition interlock device in it to check to see if the driver has been drinking.

Technically, it is supposed to be on every vehicle in the household that the DWI convict has access to.

DWI is just a part of the vehicle deaths problem.  What's needed is expansive control across the entire spectrum of vehicle usage.  There is no "right to drive".  Time to stop the killing of innocents by these out of control crazies who can purchase a car with just a pulse and money.  Eliminate the car, eliminate the killing by cars. www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiGlYqX1JXKAhULmR4KHUAXDH8QFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov%2FPubs%2F812046.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFOwE1QpMElqfxSZMGb3yfClvQxfg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.dmo

[chiver78]

an update - link

looks like the case will move to adult court on the idiot's 19th birthday in April. after that point, he's subject to adult rules:

The move to adult court means Couch could be sentenced to 120 days in jail if it's found he violated his 10-year probation, which runs through 2024. If he were to violate his probation again, he could be sentenced to 10 years in prison per each crash victim.

[sesfw]

I know this brat dropped his fight against deportation and is back in the US now. I'm wondering if he found out that jail in Mexico was a little rougher than anticipated. ROFLOL

He should be tried in adult court. At the time of the accident he was old enough to know right from wrong (no matter what his attorney said) and be placed in the adult system at that time.

[NastyWoman]

Feb 19, 2016 15:16:23 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I know this brat dropped his fight against deportation and is back in the US now. I'm wondering if he found out that jail in Mexico was a little rougher than anticipated. ROFLOL

He should be tried in adult court. At the time of the accident he was old enough to know right from wrong (no matter what his attorney said) and be placed in the adult system at that time.

 and no kidding. Money (and possibly being caucasian) was definitely talking loudly here

The stories of the two Texas teens illustrate how prosecutors’ decisions in similar cases can lead to wildly different outcomes. The poor immigrant from Mexico has been behind bars for almost a decade. The white kid with rich parents got 10 years of probation.

kfor.com/2016/02/16/while-affluenza-teen-went-free-similar-case-led-to-20-years-in-prison/

Someone explain to me how this is justice...

[fishy999]

Feb 19, 2016 15:16:23 GMT -5 sesfw said:

I know this brat dropped his fight against deportation and is back in the US now. I'm wondering if he found out that jail in Mexico was a little rougher than anticipated. ROFLOL

He should be tried in adult court. At the time of the accident he was old enough to know right from wrong (no matter what his attorney said) and be placed in the adult system at that time.

Old enough to know, rich enough for it to not matter

[chiver78]

720-day sentence for Ethan Couch

Judge Imposes 720 Days of Jail on 'Affluenza' Teen Ethan Couch


A judge on Wednesday imposed four consecutive 180-day jail terms on infamous "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch.

"You're not getting out of jail today," State District Judge Wayne Salvant told the Texas teen, sentencing him to 720 days — one 180-day sentence for each of the four victims he killed in a June 2013 drunk-driving accident.

Couch, who turned 19 on Monday, received 10 years' probation in juvenile court following the car crash. He was accused of violating the terms of his juvenile probation after a video surfaced online last December that appeared to show him at a party where alcohol was served. He and his mother fled to Mexico, evading authorities for several weeks.

click the link for the full story
********************************

that's nowhere near close to an appropriate full sentence, but I suppose it's a start. here's hoping he shows his true colors in prison and keeps getting time added. entitled little shit.

[Tennesseer]

About bloody time.

[Deleted]

Should of done time from the beginning.

[Tennesseer]

Not that this video below has anything to do with the affluenza teen, but on the People's Court yesterday, the opening case was about a woman who wanted $1,500 from the defendant because she had ordered a rum birthday cake instead of the red velvet case she initially ordered.  The red velvet cake was mistakenly delivered to the party.  The birthday girl, who had turned 22, stormed out of the party leaving all the guests behind because the wrong cake was delivered.  The mother wanted the baker to pay for the venue site, the DJ, and all the decorations.  

The judge was disgusted with the mother and told her that her daughter was going to have a very hard life in the future.  The judge ordered the Defendant to pay the mother $34, the cost of the cake.  After the trial ended, the mother said the judge's decision was unfair and she was entitled to $1,500.  The mother is going to have a very hard life in the future too.

Twenty second preview clip below:

People's Court

[Tennesseer]

Apr 13, 2016 13:21:27 GMT -5 @jma23 said:

Should of done time from the beginning.

And a hell of a lot more time that he is going to do now.