Ethan Couch’s parents racked up over 20 criminal and traffic offenses, with zero prison time

[jsr]

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/12/teen-drunk-driver-ethan-couch-rich-house-affluenza-texas/

Meet The Parents: Texas ‘Affluenza’ Teen Ethan Couch’s Father & Mother Have Detailed Criminal Records — ZERO Prison Punishment
Posted on Dec 17, 2013 @ 6:23AM | By Adam S. Levy, Radar Staff Writer



According to a report from Mail Online, citing municipal records, Couch’s father Fred, 48, and mother Tonya have cumulatively racked up more than 20 criminal and traffic offense dating back nearly 25 years, though like their son, neither has felt the steely confines of a prison cell. (Most of the larger cases against the duo had been dismissed, though in two theft cases, Fred made restitution to his accusers, making the cases go away.)

Fred Couch — who reportedly let Ethan live on his own after his split from Tonya — has had four criminal misdemeanor allegations and 18 traffic citations (paying for nine of those). He’s been arrested in connection with theft, evading arrest and domestic violence. The latter occurred in 1996, when he was accused of assault against his ex-wife Tonya. Fred, according to court records, “intentionally and knowingly caused bodily injury to Tonya Couch by striking [the woman] on or about the face with his hands causing Tonya to fall, and by grabbing [the woman] on or about the neck with his hands, scratching [the woman's] neck.”

He got out of it when Tonya agreed to a sworn affidavit of non-prosecution, making the case go away.

As for Tonya, her biggest legal infraction came ten years ago — and on the road — when she was fined $500 and sentenced to six months of community supervision in connection with misdemeanor reckless driving, after authorities said she tried to run another driver off the road. Tonya, according to court docs, “intentionally and knowingly drove a motor vehicle in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”

[Rex]

1. Okay how the hell did they get away with so much? Is there an Judge Couch?

Are we looking at textbook white privilege?

[Electric Monk]

2. Affluenza

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4451146

I'm guessing a bribe or two was involved...

[Rex]

3. Must be. The parents are walking and talking affluenza.

nt.

[Egalitarian Thug]

6. Texass. This is how it is there, and this is how they like it. n/t

[Nanjing to Seoul]

9. watch it. Someone on DU will accuse you of labelling an entire state because of its majority

of people.

Even if the label fits, alot of poutrage DUers won't like it.

[rainbow4321]

4. Local Dallas media has avoided this info

Not a peep about the family except his father owning a business.

Here a direct link to the article that Radar Online refers to:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2524872/Millionaire-parents-affluenza-teen-20-arrests-citations.html

[El_Johns]

5. They're millionaires? From doing what exactly?

[rainbow4321]

7. His father owns a sheet metal company

That, according to the article I linked to above, brings in $15 million/yr.

Local media has said the truck he drove that was registered under his father's company. I don't know enough about the law to know if the victims' family can go after "the company" in addition to the family finances. But when people have THAT much money, I imagine their attorney and finance advisors can play hide and seek with one's money to where the victims' family cannot get to it?

I know when some girl from a well off family hit my relatives' car and caused injuries requiring medical attention/physical therapy and my relative sued the girl/parents, they put their finances in some kind of trust fund (or something like that) and it was off limits in the lawsuit.

[El_Johns]

8. Isn't that interesting? But if you're poor & do the same, you will be on the hook for the rest

of your life for restitution you can never pay, but the debt will ruin your credit rating and chances of getting jobs or anything else.

[onethatcares]

10. not so much on the hook

but there are so many times that that parking ticket will lead to a jail term the

minute a cop runs your tag, or you're a passenger in someone elses car that is pulled over.

[Skidmore]

11. Are there civil suits from the other families affected by this kid's negligence?

[JJChambers]

12. Ummmmm

Since when does ANYONE to to PRISON for a misdemeanor, which is what the parents are alleged to have committed? Prison is for felons; jail is for misdemeanants.

[zabet]

13. In the small town (and county seat)....

t That I lived in.......you could get out of any traffic offense if you were willing to pay one of the local attorneys. The attorneys even had payment plans available so one did not have to be particularly affluent to 'benefit' from this. It all boiled down too if you were willing to fork over the cash or not.

The County Courthouse is called 'The Pay Door'.......because you can pay and walk out the door.

[Sheldon Cooper]

14. I'm thinking that the only way these people will ever face justice is when they

hurt/kill someone who is richer and more prominent than they are.

[Loaded Liberal Dem]

15. AC/DC said it best