Summary Of Ethan Couch's Affluenza Defense

Anthony Zurcher, an editor for “Echo Chamber” published in BBCNews, wrote the article “Affluenza Defense: Rich Privileged, and Unaccountable” in response to a Texas judge’s ruling on a controversial case. This case was about a 16-year-old boy, Ethan Couch, who drove with a “blood-alcohol level three times above the legal limit” (283), lost control of his pick-up truck and killed four pedestrians. Couch’s lawyers argued that he lacked a sense of responsibility because of his absent, wealthy parents and the lavish lifestyle he lived. This argument led the judge to sentence Couch to a drug rehabilitation center, paid for by his parents, and 10 years probation. There are many other cases similar to Couch’s where the perpetrator would receive a

This is an interesting question to pose because Zurcher can see the inequality in the justice system, especially when it came to the case of Ethan Couch. Rather than allowing this teenage boy to take responsibility for his actions, money ultimately made the decision for him. Couch did wrong by drinking and driving and did even worse when he killed four people. Time and time again, it is shown that those who have money oftentimes come out of the courtroom with better news than those who are not as financially secure. If someone has money, they will be able to pay for the best lawyers out there. These lawyers can sometimes be swayed with money and argue points that would not always hold up well in court. Points such as Couch having a “diminished sense of responsibility,” however, are presented in a way that would have anyone believe that they are logical. On the other hand, those with less money are appointed public defenders. These lawyers do not always have their clients best interests at heart because they are either handling many cases at once or they are not being paid as much as the private defenders. Either way, people with less money have a greater chance of ending up with a more severe sentence than those who have money that can buy their way out of certain

The system is meant to give children of a young age a second chance at life after their sentence is completed. A child’s life should not end at the age of 16 because they have committed a crime in their adolescent years. They should have the chance to change their ways and find a solution to re-enter society. Couch now has a second chance because of the system. He can use this second chance to help in the fight against drunk driving since he has a unique point of view on the topic. This still does not excuse what he did, instead, it is taking a negative situation and turning it around to help decrease the likelihood of something like this happening again. Although, it is not guaranteed that he will come out of rehab a changed man who can be re-integrated back into society. Couch’s life may or may not be made easier because of money, either way, that is how it will be for the rest of his life. His wealth will lead him to unfair treatment and help him escape the basic aspects of human life. Attending a rehabilitation center and spending 10 years on probation will never equate to the true punishment he