A recent Texas DUI manslaughter verdict has victim advocates concerned that wealth may increasingly be used as a legal defense for negligence. The verdict arose from the trial of Ethan Couch, a 16-year-old boy who killed four people and injured two in a drunk driving crash on June 15, 2013.
Couch’s defense attorney successfully argued the teen’s wealthy upbringing absolved him of guilt because Couch’s parents had never taught him to be accountable for his actions. The defense team used the term “affluenza” as a label for Couch’s “condition” of affluence and entitlement. A psychologist in the trial testified Couch had been raised in an atmosphere where he had little understanding that “sometimes you don’t get your way.”
Couch pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter by intoxication and two counts of assault by causing bodily injury. Court records show Couch’s actions led him to steer a pickup truck into a disabled vehicle parked on the side of a road in Burleson, Texas. The crash killed four people. Two teens riding in the bed of the pickup truck suffered serious injury.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer, Near Me
(855) 529-0269State sentencing guidelines call for as much as 20 years in prison and fines of $10,000 in such a case. However, State District Judge Jean Boyd suspended jail time and instead sentenced the teen to 10 years of probation. On February 5, she denied prosecutors’ request for up to 20 years in prison for severely injuring two of the teens in the back of the pickup.
Florida personal injury lawyer and mother Debi Chalik was angered and alarmed by the outcome of the trial.
“It is criminal to allow wealthy people to live above the law by permitting them to get away with murder with nothing more than a slap on the wrist,” Debi said.
“This kind of result perpetuates the longstanding belief that money can buy off the justice system. What happened to the notion that everyone is equal under the law?”
Debi questioned the logic and ethics of allowing someone to escape punishment because of his privileged upbringing.
“It is absurd to allow a young, spoiled kid to avoid incarceration after killing four innocent people on the basis that his wealth and privileged lifestyle drove him to drink and drive,” Debi said. “Not only is he privileged in his daily life, but that privilege is now allowing him to live above the law.”
Like many safety and victims’ right advocates, Debi is concerned about the ripple effect of the “affluenza defense” in other states and cases.
“This dreadful decision will now create a two-tiered system in the criminal justice system, whereby the wealthy will receive a slap on the wrist and the average American will receive jail time for the exact same crime,” Debi said.
Click to contact Chalik & Chalik's personal injury lawyers today
Public outcry over the Couch case led to a petition that called for Texas Gov. Rick Perry to remove Judge Boyd from the bench. Additionally, Couch and his father, Fred Couch, have been the target of five lawsuits filed by victims’ families. Victims also have filed suit against Fred Couch’s company, Cleburne Metal Works. The company owns the pickup truck involved in the fatal DUI accident.
Court records indicate Couch was driving 30 mph above the speed limit at the time of the deadly collision. His blood alcohol level was three times the state’s legal limit for adult drivers.
Help after Personal Injury Involving a Drunk Driver in Florida
Debi and her husband Jason Chalik help Florida drivers and pedestrians injured by drunk drivers. Set up a consultation about your legal options by calling 855-529-0269 or contact us online.
Call or text Chalik & Chalik
(855) 529-0269
The Controversy behind Orphan Drugs Approved for Treating Rare Cancers Orphan drugs are those that the federal government approves for use in the treatment of rare diseases that affect less than 200,000 people. New medications that treat rare forms of cancer or rare cancer-related symptoms are hitting the market all the time, despite their lack of clinical trials, a study published by Harvard researchers in...
What Not to Do After a Head Injury Head injuries often happen in car accidents. The sudden impact of an auto wreck can leave damages to the brain, which, if acute, must be medically treated immediately. These are things you should not do if someone is injured in a Florida car accident, if there are signs of a brain injury: A head wound...
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc Are Symptoms Noticeable? After a Fort Lauderdale car crash, a victim may come into the doctor’s office with undefined pains. They know something is wrong in their legs and feet and describe it as muscle weakness or a feeling of tingling and numbness. When a doctor tells the patient that these are classic symptoms of...
Injury Victims: Beware of Social Media Use During Lawsuit The use of social media content as evidence in legal cases has increased over the years. With millions of Americans making status updates, uploading media and checking in at locations via smartphones, tablets and computers, it’s easy to track a social media user’s life just by visiting his or her profile. When our clients have...
How to File a Claim Against a Cruise Ship Line If you or someone you love suffered injuries on a cruise, you can file a claim against the cruise ship line to seek compensation. It can be hard to understand personal injury and maritime law on your own. You do not have to pursue the cruise line or struggle to recover damages from their insurance...
Can I Still Sue if I Signed a Liability Waiver in Florida? You may still be able to take legal action against a company or property owner in Florida even if you signed a liability waiver. Many of these waivers are unenforceable, especially if the liable party acted negligently and caused your injuries. However, recovering compensation in these cases can be challenging. You will want to work...
Are Ambulance Rides Covered by Insurance? Insurance often does not cover ambulance rides. Many individuals needing emergency transportation later find themselves with unexpected out-of-network charges. These bills can be significant, creating financial hardship for those already dealing with injury-related losses. If you or your loved one were hurt in an accident and have ambulance costs, medical bills, and other expenses, a...
Can I Sue Royal Caribbean if I Was Injured While Parasailing? You may be able to sue Royal Caribbean if you were injured while parasailing. Many factors will determine your ability to sue, such as whether the cruise line’s negligence led to your injury. A Florida Royal Caribbean Cruises accident lawyer can also help you review the terms of your contract with the cruise line and...