Lawyers for “affluenza” teenager Ethan Couch argue in a court filing that he should be released from jail because the judge in his case had no jurisdiction in the matter. The defense lawyers claim that Couch’s case should be handled in civil court because it originated in juvenile court, according to their reading of Texas laws and the state’s Constitution.
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Attorneys for the so-called “Affluenza Teen” are asking for him to be released from jail. He needed rehabilitation – not time behind bars, they argued.
Presently, Couch serves just under two years in adult jail, ordered by Salvant, for the four individuals he killed when driving drunk in June 2013, Breitbart Texas reported. The details of the motion were confirmed Wednesday morning by a member of Couch’s legal team to CBS DFW. The teen was intoxicated and speeding in 2013 when he slammed into a disabled SUV. Almost six month later, on December 10, 2013, he was sentenced by a Texas juvenile court judge to ten years probation and ordered to spend time in a rehabilitation center.
A psychologist testified that Couch suffered from “affluenza” because his relationship with his wealthy parents was dysfunctional and made him suffer from a complete lack of personal responsibility.
Video then surfaced online that appeared to show Couch in violation of his probation, playing beer pong at a party. He was returned to North Texas from Mexico in January after he skipped a probation appointment and fled the country with his mother. The teen’s hair had been dyed jet black, as opposed to his normal blonde look.
Meanwhile, Couch’s mother Tonya has been released from house arrest. She was charged with hindering the apprehension of a felon, fitted with a Global Positioning System monitor and placed on house arrest.
Back in May, after being ordered to remain behind bars for almost two years, Couch was transferred from a maximum security facility to a “less restrictive” location.
In May, Couch was transferred from a maximum security facility to a “less restrictive” location, but reportedly still spends much of his time in solitary confinement for his own protection.
Ethan Couch is serving a two-year jail sentence..
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The District Attorney’s office could not comment on the motion because the case is under a gag order, said Communications Officer Sam Jordan.
