Drunk Kid Kill 4 People Get Probation Because . . .

[moe.ron]

of a condition call Affluenza. Yes, the judge gave him probation because he grew up rich and doesn't know any better.

(CNN) -- To the families of the victims, Ethan Couch was a killer on the road, a drunken teenage driver who caused a crash that left four people dead.
To the defense, the youth is himself a victim -- of "affluenza," according to one psychologist -- the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for the boy.

To a judge, who sentenced Couch to 10 years' probation but no jail time, he's a defendant in need of treatment.

The decision disappointed prosecutors and stunned victims' family members, who say they feel that Couch got off too easy. Prosecutors had asked for the maximum of 20 years behind bars.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/us...een-dwi-wreck/

Meanwhile, the same judge:

FORT WORTH (March 16, 2012)--A 14-year-old Fort Worth boy has been sentenced to 10 years in a juvenile jail for killing a stranger with a single unprovoked punch.

State District Judge Jean Boyd sentenced the boy, who is not being identified because he is a juvenile.

The teen admitted to a manslaughter charge earlier this year after the October 2011 attack on old Mark Gregory, 40.

A statement from the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office said the boy and two friends hopped out of a car when they saw Gregory walking.

The punch that the teenager threw knocked the 106-pound Gregory down.

He hit his head on the pavement and died two days later.

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/142925215.html

What do you think? I think both kids deserved stiff punishment, but it's funny how one kid killed one guy and get 10 years while the other killed 4 guys and get probation. Make you wonder.

[DrPhil]

It is pathetic and an illustration of the social class divide and racial divide that fuels the debate over fairness in the criminal justice system.

Lawyers are trying to see if something can be done. Chris Cuomo thinks this won't be successful for issues including the risk of double jeopardy. Sunny Hostin thinks it could be successful.

[Kevin]

Punishment for younguns is lighter and it should be. No prefrontal cortex = poor judgment. I have as little problem with this sentence as I do for a young man in OKC who received probation for murder when his drug store robbery resulted in the death of an accomplice.

[LaneSig]

However, the argument appears to be: "This boy doesn't deserve any punishment for his actions, because he's never been punished for his actions." It's ridiculous.

[sigmadiva]

The way its been reported here in Houston: "This boy doesn't deserve any punishment for his actions, because he's very wealthy, and only poor people get punished." It's ridiculous.

[DrPhil]

This punishment was not about age. A non-wealthy teenager with no prior criminal record is much less likely to be given this punishment. The history of crimes and punishment for people under the age of 18 shows that some courts don't care about pre-frontal cortex and neither do I depending on the act.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This punishment was not about age. A non-wealthy teenager with no prior criminal record is much less likely to be given this punishment. The history of crimes and punishment for people under the age of 18 shows that some courts don't care about pre-frontal cortex and neither do I depending on the act.

The treatment center he's going to doesn't sound like a very fun place and he'll have a 10-year probation sentence to serve. Frequently, whether someone has assets is determinative as to whether they work some programs or just do their time. A non-wealthy teenager would probably get some time in a juvenile detention center, but would be out by age 18.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

The treatment center he's going to doesn't sound like a very fun place and he'll have a 10-year probation sentence to serve.

His family has enough resources to make treatment and probation a relatively decent time.

Originally Posted by Kevin

A non-wealthy teenager would probably get some time in a juvenile detention center, but would be out by age 18.

Oh fun (sarcasm)!!!!!!! So you understand this isn't about age and prefrontal cortex. Most teens and adults would prefer even a harsh treatment center and 10 years probation over 3 years in a detention or incarceration facility.

[Tom Earp]

The legal system never seems to amaze me?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

His family has enough resources to make treatment and probation a relatively decent time.

I don't know anything about this treatment center. Supposedly, it is $450,000 per year. That could mean it's very pleasant or very unpleasant. It looks nice enough, though I'm unsure what the curriculum would be.

Oh fun (sarcasm)!!!!!!! So you understand this isn't about age and prefrontal cortex. Most teens and adults would prefer even a harsh treatment center and 10 years probation over 3 years in a detention or incarceration facility.

The system should be focused on rehabilitation no matter the wealth of the child's parents. In a perfect world every kid gets $450,000 year treatment centers. This is an imperfect world though.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I don't know anything about this treatment center. Supposedly, it is $450,000 per year. That could mean it's very pleasant or very unpleasant. It looks nice enough, though I'm unsure what the curriculum would be.

That means it is an overall pleasant and supportive facility. It can be intense and emotional without being a miserable institution.

[*winter*]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This punishment was not about age. A non-wealthy teenager with no prior criminal record is much less likely to be given this punishment. The history of crimes and punishment for people under the age of 18 shows that some courts don't care about pre-frontal cortex and neither do I depending on the act.

AMEN.

[StealthMode]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Punishment for younguns is lighter and it should be. No prefrontal cortex = poor judgment.

According to this statement, you believe the younger teen (who, presumably, has a less developed PFC) should have gotten the less severe punishment than the one two years older. That didn't happen yet you say you're ok with the outcome. How is that?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by StealthMode

According to this statement, you believe the younger teen (who, presumably, has a less developed PFC) should have gotten the less severe punishment than the one two years older. That didn't happen yet you say you're ok with the outcome. How is that?

Our laws favor rehabilitation for juvenile offenders. The reason is that they are deemed less able to form true criminal intent. In my state and probably yours, they even have entirely different courts and sets of criminal laws to deal with.

You're also dealing with two totally different sets of facts and available punishments. In the case of the 14 year old who punched someone, you have what is probably a murder in the second degree conviction. In the case of the drunk teenager who drove his car into a crowd, we could be looking at entirely different charges, maybe only manslaughter or negligent homicide. I don't see it as being the same degree of murder. You're also likely looking at a different caliber of criminal defense attorney. The state's attorney very well may have thought a trial for the drunk teenager with a high caliber defense attorney could have resulted in an acquittal.

There are just too many variables here we don't know to convince me that it's very fair at all to compare the two end results from totally different situations and declare them unjust. They may be, but I'm not sure about that.

[tuco99]

Democrats support a revolving door prison system that puts everyone at risk.