You’ll assume the perspective of a criminal defense attorney who’s been asked to consult on two real, high-profile cases: The State of Texas v. Ethan Couch and The State of Texas v. Eric Miller. Both cases took place in Texas and involve a teenager who drove while impaired and caused a fatal car crash. However, the outcomes were vastly different: Ethan Couch was given probation, while Eric Miller was sentenced to 20 years behind bars. District Judge Jean Boyd delivered both sentences.
You’ll then write a 350- to 500-word essay that includes all of the required discussion
points listed in the Instructions section.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Read the following articles comparing the cases: “Fatal Crash in 2004 Drew Different Sentence from Tarrant Judge”:
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/fort-worth/
article3840394.html “Family of Texas Man Who Got 20 years for Fatal Drunk Driving Crash by Same Judge Who Sentenced Ethan Couch Outraged ‘Affluenza’
Teen is on the Lam”: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/family-eric-bradlee-miller-outraged-couch-lam-article-1.2471292
“Judge Who Gave Ethan Couch Probation Gave Another Teen 20 Years
Behind Bars for Fatal DWI Crash”: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/
local/community/fort-worth/article52741505.html - Write a 350- to 500-word essay discussing all of the following points:
Do the facts support charging the defendants in each case with any other
crimes discussed in your text as well as in this study guide? Explain your
answer, which should demonstrate your knowledge of criminal law.
Based on the facts, what defenses were available to each of the defendants
and why?
Based on your knowledge of punishment as discussed in this course, do the punishments seem fair based on the nature of the crimes? Explain.
Sample Solution
