Many are familiar with the “affluenza” teen who killed 4 people in a drunk driving accident back in 2013. In December of last year, the teen and his mother fled the country after pictures of the teen attending a party in which alcohol was being consumed surfaced on social media. His mother was back in the U.S. last month. Now, so is Ethan Couch.
Ethan Couch, now 18, is in the hands of Texas Juvenile Detention authorities after being placed on a flight back to the U.S. fron Mexico.
Tarrant County Sheriff Dean Anderson stated, “He was very calm. He was quiet, very passive. He followed every direction. His only request was that he was hungry and wanted something to eat.”
Couch landed in Dallas at noon on January 28th and was scheduled to attend a hearing the next day. After being medically screened and assigned to a housing unit at Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center, the law requires a hearing within 24 hours.
The Tarrant County Sheriff would prefer to lock Couch up in an adult facility. However, that matter will not be decided until he appears before a judge on February 19th. This hearing will determine whether Couch’s case can be turned over to adult court.
Representative’s from Mothers Against Drunk Driving have stated that they will be in attendance at the court date. They plan on adovcating that the matter be turned over to adult court.
Couch has been fighting his extradition to the United States since December 28th when he and his mother were caught in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta. This was weeks after Couch’s probation officer last made contact with him.
Couch’s attorneys said in a statement that they are confident that going forward, Couch will abide by the terms of his probation. His probation for intoxication manslaughter was slated to last for ten years.
If you or someone you know has been charged with DUI, contact an attorney familiar with DUI related offenses. Our attorneys are all experienced in defending DUI charges. Contact us today.
