12/16/2013
Outrage Over Rich Teen's 'Affluenza' Defense In 4 Deaths
A wealthy Texas teen, who killed four people while drunk driving, got a lenient sentence after a defense expert argued that he had “affluenza,” where his family felt that wealth bought privilege and no consequences for bad behavior. Instead of the 20 years in prison sought by prosecutors, the teen will have a much, much shorter stay in a posh rehab center.
■Class discussion: Does the sentence demonstrate that wealth really does buy privilege and freedom from legal consequences? Why or why not? The U.S. imprisons far more people than any other nation. Do you think most prisoners are rich or poor? Can you find examples of wealthy people being punished or escaping punishment? How would you make the justice system fairer?