Judge moves ‘affluenza’ teen’s case to adult court

A Texas judge transferred the case of the so-called “affluenza” teen to the adult courts on Friday as Ethan Couch appeared in court in Fort Worth with a clean-shaven look.

If the case moves to adult court, Couch will be assigned a new judge who will set new terms and conditions for his adult probation, according to The Dallas Morning News. Ironically, the juvenile system may end up holding the greater punishment.

He and his mother, Tonya Couch fled there is December apparently to avoid Ethan Couch’s arrest for violating the probation deal that had kept him out of jail. The penalty for which is 120 days in jail. If he violates that probation he faces up to 10 years in prison for each person killed in the 2013 crash – a total of 40 years.

This Dec. 28, 2015, photo released by Mexico’s Jalisco state prosecutor’s office shows who authorities identify as Ethan Couch, after he was taken into custody in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

“By transferring to the adult courts now he’s under supervision for a longer period of time from the adult court to make sure he doesn’t screw up, doesn’t continue drinking and driving even well into his adulthood”, said Alex Kim, a legal analyst. He would go free after Friday’s hearing and then remain on probation until his sentence expires after his 19th birthday.

If Couch is found to have violated probation, the judge could either sentence him to a state facility operated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or leave him on juvenile probation until he turns 19. The 48-year-old faces between two and 10 years in prison if convicted of hindering the apprehension of a felon.

This report contains material from Reuters and the Associated Press.