Can we get serious about drunk driving already?

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Originally Posted by Lewkowski

Bull shit cases like this are why we should have mandatory sentencing guidelines for drunk drivers.

http://rt.com/usa/affluenza-drink-driving-prison-879/

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Originally Posted by Being

That's old. Where's the follow up story? Prosecutors can appeal a sentence can't they?

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Its been in the news for a bit, but this teen and his mom have vanished after the teen was caught violating his probation by being a horrible beer pong player. Everyone knocks the original probation sentence, but the more I read on this the more I think the judge was a genius. A jail sentence could have been wiped since the kid was a juvenile, but 10 years probation was plenty of rope for this kid to hang himself, which is exactly what he did. Now the law has to find him.

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Originally Posted by Lewkowski

You've got no idea how much I hope he gets found, thrown in prison and ends up beaten to death. Scum like this shouldn't be breathing the same air. I bet the little shit doesn't even have an ounce of remorse.

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http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0UC07420151229

Oh happy day! The first part of what I wanted to occur has happened - hopefully the rest will follow suite shortly. :)

FORT WORTH, Texas (Reuters) - A Texas teen from a wealthy family, a fugitive after breaking his probation sentence for killing four people while driving drunk, has been taken into custody in Mexico, a law enforcement official said on Monday.

Ethan Couch, 18, nicknamed the "affluenza" teen, was serving 10 years probation for intoxication manslaughter in the 2013 incident.

He and his mother, Tonya Couch, 48, disappeared this month, prompting officials in Tarrant County. Texas, to place the teen on the county's most wanted list and issue a warrant for his apprehension.

Couch became known as the "affluenza" teen during his trial in juvenile court, when a psychologist said he was so wealthy and spoiled he could not tell the difference between right and wrong.

A Tarrant County law enforcement official confirmed on Monday that Couch had been detained in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but declined to give further details.

I just holidayed in Puerto Vallarta :cool:

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Originally Posted by RandBlade

I just holidayed in Puerto Vallarta :cool:

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You're lucky the little ass didn't drunk drive into you as you walked the streets. I hope the Mexican prison they are holding him in is as awful as what is portrayed on TV. As long as they keep him jailed I'm fine with his fighting extradition. I hope his mom gets the maximum penalty for her involvement. I don't understand why the parents of the friends he paralyzed aren't more vocal??

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Originally Posted by Being

I don't understand why the parents of the friends he paralyzed aren't more vocal??

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$2 million settlement

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Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer

$2 million settlement

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Get out. That won't pay for many years of medical bills.

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Originally Posted by RandBlade

Its not denial or delusional to think that everyone who's drinking isn't a vile criminal. Bars are open later than buses because people can get taxis, or have friends pick them up, or can walk, or have a designated driver or plenty of other options. Drink driving is NOT one of them. Anyone who drinks drives should be locked up before they kill someone.

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I was saying US policy goals and state legislation often work against each other, and just don't make sense. <See the drunk driving Texas juvenile who got probation for killing four people.> :bored:

I assume that's because it was a juvenile?

He could have gotten 20 years. Judge gave him probation and promptly retired. If and when he does come back, the max he will face is 120 days in jail.

Can the judge's decision not be appealed?

Over here if a jury finds you innocent then that's the end of it (double jeopardy) but if you're guilty and the judge gives an overly-lenient sentence then that can be appealed by the government.

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Originally Posted by RandBlade

Can the judge's decision not be appealed?

Over here if a jury finds you innocent then that's the end of it (double jeopardy) but if you're guilty and the judge gives an overly-lenient sentence then that can be appealed by the government.

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Indeed. Such a judgment would probably not hold much water when you appeal it over here. I did a short look and it would probably be revised on the grounds that the punishment was far too lenient.