Affluenza

[Spurminator]

Pretty genius, tbh. We all know that wealth and privilege have always been a force field against prosecution for breaking the law, but now it's actually a LEGAL DEFENSE!

http://www.wfaa.com/news/crime/Defense-pushes-for-intensive-therapy-for-teen-in-drunken-crash-that-killed-4-235288101.html (http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/teen-sentenced-to-10-years-probation-in-drunken-driving-crash-that-killed-four-in-burleson.html/)



Miller said Couch's parents gave him "freedoms no young person should have." He called Couch a product of "affluenza," where his family felt that wealth bought privilege and there was no rational link between behavior and consequences.

His blood alcohol level was .24 and he has had legal trouble before.

[Spurminator]

http://kdfw.images.worldnow.com/images/23406688_SA.jpg

[scott]

Poor kid. A victim of his parent's success. #PrayForCouch

[TDMVPDPOY]

so is there any difference between this clown and rich/celeb kids?...money buys u out of shit, lol 2 sets of laws for the rich and poor...

[Th'Pusher]

some fine lawyering imo.

[angrydude]

Not surprising. It's not just money. If you know the right people you can get away with almost anything.

[ChumpDumper]

Never thought I would see the day a Mystery Science Theater 3000 plot was successfully used as a legal defense.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ea/I_accuse_my_parents.jpg

[boutons_deux]

Not surprising. It's not just money. If you know the right people you can get away with almost anything.

actually, with enough money, you buy access to the "right people"

[boutons_deux]

If he were black and poor?

If he were a black street person and caught stealing a loaf of bread?

[George Gervin's Afro]

Is there a vaccine for this?

[Winehole23]

In this case, the judge issued a probation verdict with mandated treatment and lots of people are mad at her. But jurors also frequently give probation or relatively light sentences for intoxication manslaughter, mainly because many can easily see themselves in the defendant's shoes. (Think Gabrielle Nestande (http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/nestande-gets-10-years-probation-for-fatal-wreck/nWXkt/).) Did you ever steal beer as a kid (after all, they can't buy it)? Have you ever driven while intoxicated? Too many jurors can answer "yes" to those questions for intoxication manslaughter cases to be a slam dunk. In the back of their minds, a lot of people are thinking, "There but for the grace of God go I." The difference between their own experiences and the terrible destruction this kid caused was basically dumb luck.

The "affluenza" claim gave the viral outrage crowd plenty of red meat and, as is usual, media discussions have largely focused on "who is to blame? (http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/outrage-over-ethan-couch-verdict-still-runs-hot-but-at-whom.html/)" for an ostensibly lenient verdict. But that's the wrong question. This episode was a tragedy and has destroyed families, causing immeasurable harm, and no good can come of it. That said, no matter how profound the grief of the victim's families, no punishment will bring back the dead. The only real question is how to make the best of a terrible situation?

In this particular case, for the uninitiated, Ethan Couch's case was tried in juvenile court, which is a civil not a criminal proceeding. The judge was specifically charged with rendering a verdict that's in the "best interest of the child." The goal of juvenile courts under Texas law isn't punishment in the same way adult criminal courts punish. Indeed, after the 2007 juvenile justice reforms following the TYC sex-abuse scandal, Texas youth prison populations plummeted. The only kids sent to youth prison anymore in Texas are typically those who commit intentional acts of violence or mentally ill kids from communities with no treatment resources. For the most part, those reforms have been very positive and juvenile crime dropped after they were implemented. In this instance, the best interests of the child are also in the best interests of public safety and the taxpayers.

Finally, we are living in an era of rampant overcriminalization, but the criminal justice system cannot be the solution to every tragedy or social problem. This tragedy was caused by negligence and, for reasons Mark Bennett articulated (http://blog.bennettandbennett.com/2013/12/affluenza.html), is fundamentally more tort than crime - the situation lacks mens rea, or criminal intent. The kid didn't set out that night aiming to kill anybody. And as a juvenile, in the scheme of things, he's a good candidate for rehabilitation. Bottom line: The judge followed the law and did nothing wrong. The kid's case was handled appropriately as far as the juvenile justice system goes. The place to seek retribution is in a lawsuit against the parents and after the defense offered in the boy's case, they'll be hard-pressed to escape liability. At the end of the day, that'll have to be good enough for the outrage machine.http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2013/12/ethan-couch-and-media-outrage-machine.html

[SnakeBoy]

Is there a vaccine for this?

I think it's called melanin.

[elbamba]

http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2013/12/ethan-couch-and-media-outrage-machine.html

The problem as I see it is that DWI and DUI should be strict liability cases where mens rea does not come into play. To me, there should be no excuse for getting behind the wheel of a car drunk. The good news is that the family is getting the hell sued out of them so the affirmative defense of affluenze probably won't be available next go around.

[boutons_deux]

Ethan Couch, 'Affluenza' Teen, Facing 5 Lawsuits

On Dec. 10, the Texas 16-year-old was sentenced (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/11/ethan-couch-sentenced_n_4426722.html?ir=Weird+News) to a decade of probation after killing four people while driving drunk. During his trial, a psychologist called by the defense testified that Couch suffers from "affluenza," (http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Judge-gives-probation-to-teen-who-killed-four-in-crash-235313421.html) meaning that on the night of the crash he did not understand the consequences of his actions because of his privileged upbringing. Prosecutors had sought a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Couch is facing five lawsuits brought by families of the crash victims (http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Victims-Families-File-Lawsuits-Against-Affluenza-Teen-236006321.html). The suits also target Couch's father, Fred Couch, as well as Fred's company, Cleburne Metal Works, which owned the pickup Couch was driving during the fatal wreck.

Marla Mitchell, mother of Breanna Mitchell, 24, who was killed in the crash, is suing for unspecified damages (http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Victims-Families-File-Lawsuits-Against-Affluenza-Teen-236006321.html), as is Shaunna Jennings, wife of 41-year-old youth pastor Brian Jennings, who was also killed, reports NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. Eric and Marguerite Boyles are suing on behalf of deceased family members Hollie Boyles, 52, and Shelby Boyles, 21. The parents of two injured victims are also suing.

The tragic accident occurred when Couch was driving 30 mph over the speed limit (http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/09/07/5142669/family-of-injured-teen-files-lawsuit.html?rh=1) outside Dallas on June 15 and swerved off the road. His Ford F-350 hit a small crowd of pedestrians gathered near Breanna Mitchell's broken-down car. Couch's blood-alcohol level was .24 (http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/09/07/5142669/family-of-injured-teen-files-lawsuit.html#storylink=cpy) at the time, which is three times the legal limit for an adult in the state of Texas.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/18/ethan-couch-affluenza-lawsuits-car-crash-texas_n_4461585.html

How much will his family pay in legal costs, probably $Ms.

BigAlcohol should start an Ethan Couch legal defense fund.

[Bill_Brasky]

kid's lawyers: he can't help it, too much money :cry

victims families lawyers: we can fix that

[EVAY]

kid's lawyers: he can't help it, too much money :cry

victims families lawyers: we can fix that:toast

[boutons_deux]

'Affluenza' dad impersonates cop (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/21/1323477/--Affluenza-dad-impersonates-cop)


http://images.dailykos.com/images/101284/large/1408538174000-Screen-Shot-2014-08-20-at-83238-AM.jpg?1408632436

The father of Ethan Couch, the 16-year-old who gained national attention for using the "affluenza" defense in court and then receiving probation after killing four in a drunken-driving accident, has been arrested in Texas for allegedly impersonating a police officer.Authorities in North Richland Hills, a Fort Worth suburb, arrested Frederick Anthony Couch on Tuesday, saying he posed as a Lakeside reserve officer at the scene of a disturbance call July 28, reports WFAA.

Police said Frederick Couch led an officer to his vehicle, and according to the arrest warrant, Couch said his "Lakeside police stuff" was inside. He told the officer he was a reserve officer for the Lakeside police.

"Couch reached into his vehicle and took out his wallet displaying what appeared to be a police badge and identification card, suggesting he was a police officer," North Richland Hills investigator K. Bauman said. "Upon completion of the call, all subjects involved were allowed to leave the location."
...
Couch was arrested Tuesday and later released on a $2,500 bond, WFAA reports.

Couch is not nor ever has been a reserve officer for Lakeside, and he is not licensed as a peace officer in Texas.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/21/1323477/--Affluenza-dad-impersonates-cop?detail=email

RICH land hills!

[Spurminator]

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2015/12/tarrant-da-investigating-twitter-video-claiming-to-show-affluenza-teen-ethan-couch-playing-beer-pong.html/

‘Affluenza’ teen Ethan Couch under investigation after Twitter user posts beer pong video

[spurraider21]

crofl... this whole thing as a joke from the start (the court proceedings, not the tragedy)

[boutons_deux]

... if he had been black, 10 years of probation? or 30 years of prison?

[baseline bum]

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2015/12/tarrant-da-investigating-twitter-video-claiming-to-show-affluenza-teen-ethan-couch-playing-beer-pong.html/

‘Affluenza’ teen Ethan Couch under investigation after Twitter user posts beer pong video

I like the part about how he wouldn't be tried as an adult until 19. In fucking Texas.

[Winehole23]

tangential:

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Happiest-mugshot-in-America-belongs-to-this-6620025.php

[boutons_deux]

tangential:

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Happiest-mugshot-in-America-belongs-to-this-6620025.php

Drug Enforcement Administration Confirms Woman Arrested for Drugs is Daughter of DEA Agent (http://trc.taboola.com/worldnow-londonbroadcastingcompany-kcen/log/3/click?pi=%2Fstory%2F30471885%2F19-year-old-arrested-for-allegedly-selling-drugs-in-college-station&ri=16deadd7a802e2ac6d5d533e1ed3177f&sd=v2_f69573db8bb4503964aec7ee1d71dee5_8f1ea58d-503b-4d29-819a-f54ce177d94a_1449264165_1449264165_CPodEOm2PRjzi4H 3liogAQ&ui=8f1ea58d-503b-4d29-819a-f54ce177d94a&it=text&ii=4749217359888910212&pt=text&li=rbox-t2m&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kcentv.com%2Fstory%2F30659070 %2Fdrug-enforcement-administration-confirms-woman-arrested-for-drugs-is-daughter-of-dea-agent&vi=1449264170483&r=41)
:lol

[Trill Clinton]

677876259427328000

[boutons_deux]

'Affluenza' Texan, who killed four driving drunk, to be released


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-texas-affluenza/affluenza-texan-who-killed-four-driving-drunk-to-be-released-idUSKCN1H90QU?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

In Texas, wealthy drunk white guy kills 4 people, gets 2 years, non-wealthy black lady votes illegally, gets 5 years.

[Blake]

That's just stupid. Does he have to see a psychiatrist for his affluenza?