INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

‘Affluenza Teen’ Ethan Couch Case Moved To Adult Court, Will Face Years For Next Probation Violation

By Amy Feinstein
Published on: 02:41 PST, Feb 20, 2016

It’s a day that has been long awaited for years in Tarrant County, Texas, as Ethan Couch, part of the affluenza family, will now be judged by an adult court, and not by the juvenile system that put him on probation for the drunk driving deaths of four people and the injury of more. The situation that has been unfolding for months has ended with a whimper after Ethan Couch left town for Mexico, and fought deportation. The Couch family attorney, Scott Brown, has finally admitted that Ethan Couch has been treated fairly thus far, and it is understandable that the affluenza case will now be heard in adult court.

According to The Inquisitr, MADD was not going to give up until Ethan Couch had his case moved to adult court, as he is now an adult and admitted to committing an adult crime. This was the closest situation in which everyone could be close to happy in the case that buried four people, and found many more injured.

The CBS local station reported that a representative from MADD was in the courtroom when the decision was handed down. For the first time in this case, they are happy with the turnout.

“With all of the tragedy and heartbreak caused by the Couch case, for the first time, we can see a glimpse of hope from the criminal justice system,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church.

MADD has been on the case to move the affluenza teen’s case to adult court, as with his “affluenza” defense, he was able to duck punishment so far. Couch is still in prison waiting to find out his punishment for fleeing the jurisdiction and a probation violation hearing. The move to adult court means that if and when he violates probation again in the next 10 years, he will do more prison time.

The New York Post says that all juvenile treatment of Ethan Couch will cease on the date of his birthday in April. If it is found that Couch violated his probation by leaving the Dallas area with his mother for Mexico, he faces 180 days in adult prison, and will then be officially on probation until 2026, facing 10 years in prison. Ethan Couch will have to steer clear of drugs and drink for that time period.

Tarrant County prosecutor Riley Shaw is satisfied that this case is finally turning a corner, partially because it has now gone global.

“We have been waiting for this day for the last two years and we are pleased with the court’s ruling,” said Tarrant County Prosecutor Riley Shaw.

But according to the sheriff, Ethan Couch and the Couch family have still shown no remorse.

“I wish I could say I’ve seen some sense of remorse. I won’t say that,” Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson said. “I do believe, from seeing him and talking to him, that it’s become more real to him.”

This whole chapter started when a “friend” of Couch videotaped him playing beer pong, which is in violation of his initial probation. When the tape was discovered, a hearing was planned, and Ethan Couch and his mother took off for Mexico to avoid punishment. Ethan Couch now alleges that he was taken to Mexico against his will, yet he was spotted on his own at strip clubs and markets, with his appearance altered.

Do you think Ethan Couch of affluenza notoriety will finally do some real prison time?

[Photo by LM Otero/AP Images]

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