This Wednesday, a judge in Texas demanded that 16-year-old Ethan Couch, a Fort Worth-area native, go to a lock-down rehab facility following his prosecution for killing four and severely injuring two others in a drunk-driving incident in 2013. Though the manslaughter was an accident, it was the result of his driving while heavily intoxicated with alcohol; his blood alcohol level was .24, 3 times the legal limit. You may ask why his case is so special, seeing that drunk driving deaths aren't unheard of. His trial and eventual court ruling have made headlines because of his oddly mild sentencing. He isn't going to prison, or even jail. The State District Judge Jean Boyd had earlier "sentenced" Ethan Couch to 10 years on probation, and will not be allowed to drive and must "refrain" from using alcohol or drugs. The main factor in this case that is stirring controversy is the fact that that he comes from an extremely wealthy family. One witness in the case said that Couch suffered from "Affluenza", which is a term he used to describe Couch's state of being from a wealthy family that spoon fed him and set no limits for him because of their privileges. Claims state that because of this "affluenza", Couch didn't really know any better. Couch also didn't apologize or show any remorse for victims or their families, but his lawyer says that he's in a state of shock and can "barely function" due to the trauma from the incident.
The ruling in this case makes me very sad. I feel that the justice system has definitely failed the victims in this case and their families. This kid has been spoiled all his life, with mom and dad to come to the rescue when any issue arose. I think that the ruling in this case just furthers that and proves the point that he's been spoiled, likely with mom and dad getting the very best lawyers to get him out of this situation. In my opinion, a large reason that he was given such a generous sentence was that, because he is white, wealthy, and probably has access to many opportunities due to his parents' wealth, the judge probably had an underlying notion that he would be more suitable for being "rehabilitated" and reintegrated back into society after this situation came to pass. In other words - the judge likely thought that he had a brighter future than other criminals, such as those of the poorer sector of the community. I think this kid should be punished just as any other criminal would be, and should have to own up to his actions and suffer the harsh consequences.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/us/texas-affluenza-teen/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Camille, I agree with you! I think that the justice system is flawed, as can be seen in this case, and that doesn't really serve well for a free and just country. Their reasoning behind this decision really doesn't seem to be based on anything that actually matters; blaming this on his parents isn't giving the person any responsibility, or really individual rights to be accountable for his own actions.
ReplyDeleteAshley Barnes 2nd
It's seriously strange that he got such a light sentence. He shouldn't be considered a special case just because his parents are wealthy. The punishment for driving drunk usually is jail time, or at the very least, a fine.
ReplyDeleteIt's not strange at all, he has money
DeleteI have heard about this trial on the news multiple times over the past few weeks and it's extremely upsetting to hear that Couch received such a "mild" sentence for a crime so big. It doesn't matter that his parents have money, he should be treated just like anyone else in a drunk-driving case and should receive a much harsher sentence than the one he was given. Drunk driving is a huge issue in this country and around the world and action needs to be taken, especially considering his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit.
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